Political Maneuvering Begins in Frederick County As Redistricting Nears

George Wenschhof

In what Democratic state delegate Galen Clagett (District 3-a) is calling a "premature move", members of the Frederick County Republican state delegation will hold a press conference on Wednesday August 17 at 4:00 PM ET at the C. Burr Artz Library to present what they are calling a bipartisan redistricting map conference.

This highlights the political maneuvering which takes place every ten years, when the U.S. Constitution requires reapportionment take place in regard to representation in the House of Representatives. The number of Representatives (435) stay the same, but based on population totals, a state may gain or lose their number of Representatives, while always guaranteed a minimum of one.

The solid Democratic state of Maryland has 8 congressional districts with six of them considered "Blue"; one (6th) considered "Red" and one (1st) which has been a toss-up in the last two elections. As a result of the census data, Maryland maintained their number of Representatives in the House.

Before, state elected leaders can begin the deliberative process to determine the districts for state senators and delegates; the eight congressional districts will need to be redrawn as elections take place next year.

In addition, the state election calendar has been changed for next year with the deadline for candidates to file, (January 11, 2012), not so far away. The primary will be held April 3, 2012.

As a result, Maryland Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley will call a special session of the General Assembly in October to finalize the congressional districts.

Frederick County is currently a part of the convoluted sixth district which has benefited Republican Roscoe Bartlett who won his first election in 1992. Republican voter registration across the vast sixth district has enabled Bartlett to continue to serve in Congress.

Sixth district Democrats are hopeful a shift in district boundaries resulting from this year's reapportionment will offer an opportunity for a more competitive race, compared to the average 40% their candidates have received since 1992.

In addition to the sixth district, look to see efforts made to "help" the first district turn Blue.

After the Congressional realignment is completed, Maryland will turn to state redistricting. Across the state, 35 of the 47 senators are Democratic and 98 of the 141 delegates are Democratic. Each of the 47 districts elects one state senator and three state delegates.

In Frederick County, it is the reverse of the state and 6 of the 8 member state delegation are Republican.

As a result, you can expect some interesting attempts at redrawing lines in Frederick County from both Republicans and Democrats.

The Republican state delegation plans to present a redistricting map which they call "fair and equitable to the citizens of Frederick County".

When I spoke to Democratic State delegate Galen Clagett (District 3-a), he told me he had not held any discussions with any of the Republican delegation from Frederick County in regard to redistricting and as a result was not on board with what was being presented. "They (the Republicans) were jumping the gun" according to Clagett.

Galen added, Democratic state senator Ron Young had shown him in passing, a redistricting map, which he did not look at closely or comment on.

Clagett has, however, been working with an ad hoc five member committee appointed by Maryland House Speaker Michael Busch. As part of this process, he has met with a state official who is looking at different statewide scenarios for redistricting. Clagett added the House had not agreed to any redistricting at this point and would not until the Maryland General Assembly meets next year in regular session.

Democratic State senator Ron Young (District 3), who is mentioned in the Republican press release, indicated to me in a telephone conversation, he had also met with the state official working on redistricting and had shared a draft redistricting map with Republican state senator David Brinkley (District 4) and spoken with Republican delegates Kelly Schulz (District 4-a) and Kathy Afzali (District 4-a).

However, Ron added while he had also seen the press release sent by Republican members of the Frederick County state delegation, he had not been informed that it had been scheduled or asked to attend.

What I am hearing in regard to the preliminary discussions is an effort to have Maryland legislative districts 3 and 4 be inclusive of Frederick County with the current portions of Carroll County and Washington County eliminated.

Each district 3 and 4 would be comprised of approximately 117,000 Frederick county residents.

In district 3, one proposal being kicked around includes three at large delegates as opposed to the current two delegates from 3-a and one delegate from 3-b.

While early talks are underway, the serious discussion on state redistricting will take place next year when the Maryland General Assembly meets in regular session.

The hope will be to finalize a plan next year allowing for two years for candidates and voters to know the new districts prior to the next election in 2014. Approval next year would also provide ample time for judicial review if a legal objection is filed.

Do not look to see any agreement reached without the approval of the big three Democrats; Governor Martin O'Malley, Senate President Thomas "Mike" Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch.

Until then, the talk taking place is just talk.

Stay tuned...

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