The following article has been submitted by Sixth District Delegate Bob Long about the Special Session for Redistricting in Maryland
Monday, August 3, 2026, marks the beginning of Governor Wes Moore’s Special Session. This Special Session has been called for the purpose of erasing Maryland’s sole Republican congressional district.
From August 3 through August 5, Maryland will witness what I believe to be an unfair and unconstitutional attack on Maryland’s 1st Congressional District.
Using redistricting as a political weapon is something that has, sadly, become common across contemporary American politics.
Partisan gerrymandering is an ugly and dishonorable stain on our political system, and calling a Special Session to pursue such a goal shows a severe disrespect for Marylanders—not just those in our 1st Congressional District, but across our entire state.
We are now two years on from the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. However, the reconstruction effort has not been treated as a priority by the Moore administration.
Taxes and fees continue to increase for the average Marylander, yet addressing this has not been designated as a priority by the Moore administration.
Our state faces a systemic deficit that is predicted to worsen as time goes on, yet once again, reining in our spending does not appear to be a priority for the current administration.
With Marylanders facing all of these issues, the Moore administration has instead chosen to embroil our state in a national political battleground for partisan gain.
This focus on something so trivial is a slap in the face to Marylanders who spend every day worrying about whether they will be able to afford groceries, electricity, and medicine.
There are over 1 million registered Republicans across Maryland. By attempting to gerrymander away Maryland’s sole Republican congressional district, Governor Moore would effectively be silencing a group that makes up nearly a quarter of our state’s population.
In the name of fairness and democracy, it is up to us, the people, to stand up and fight against this act.
By voting and voicing our concerns, we can help ensure a democratic and fair future for our state. Actions such as this only go to show that Governor Moore is not interested in serving our State, instead it is indicative of a desire to be seen as a reliable party soldier, and only serves to elevate his political career.
It is important we, as Marylanders, band together and ensure that when we vote at the polls we are electing someone who is willing to put the well being of our State above all else.