Gov. Larry Hogan signed into law on Monday the latest version of Maryland’s congressional map, calling it “a huge improvement” over the boundaries set by the Maryland Senate in its first attempt.
He approved the maps, which set the boundary lines for federal congressional districts. However, he said, “They aren’t as good in my opinion as the ones drawn by the citizens’ commission, and we shouldn’t have wasted so much time.” He added that the new boundaries, which remain in effect for 10 years, are not perfect but are “miles away from the incredibly gerrymandered map that was thrown out in the courts.”
He called gerrymandering “a cancer.”
This is “a huge win for democracy and improving the process,” he said during a press briefing April 4. “It’s a tremendous victory for democracy and free and fair elections in Maryland.”
The defendants, through the Attorney General Brian Frosh’s office, have agreed to withdraw their appeal of the maps that were thrown out by Anne Arundel County Senior Judge Lynne A. Battaglia, according to Hogan.
U.S. Rep. David Trone, whose District 6 is changed under the new map, called Hogan’s agreement to sign the new map, “a good thing. It’s a small but important step toward ending partisan gerrymandering. Being disadvantaged by this process is a price I am willing to pay to move Maryland and our country forward. What we now need is a national solution — and for all elected officials across the country to get back to dealing with issues important to those we were elected to represent.”
Sasha Galbreath, one of Trone’s advisor, added, “The fact of the matter is that we’re glad this is coming to a close so voters can focus on the issues, not which district they’re in. Congressman Trone remains committed to representing Marylanders and addressing the opioid and mental health crises in American communities.”
For eight years, I have been fighting to restore fairness and competitiveness to our political system. Today, we achieved a major victory, and I have signed a new congressional map into law.
Watch live: https://t.co/FeytK1Ylif
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 4, 2022
