In redistricting efforts, one thing is clear: Advantage takes precedence over fairness

Readers weigh in on Maryland redistricting plans at the council and congressional levels

Maps should profile Dems’ courage

Let me start by saying this is not a lecture. It’s a gut check. The special session in the Maryland General Assembly to discuss redrawing Maryland’s congressional districts begins today. My fellow Democrats in the General Assembly should display courage and leadership during redistricting with a reasonably fair and politically inclusive congressional district map.

In a letter to the editor in The Baltimore Sun, former Republican Congressman for Maryland’s 1st District Wayne Gilchrist stated, “As a believer in democracy and the will of the people, I support a redrawn 1st District that allows voters to render a verdict on Congressman Harris.” (“Gilchrest: Refashion my old Md. congressional district to leave Andy Harris out,” Nov. 4))

The verdict that Mr. Gilchrist referred to is against Maryland’s current 1st District Congressman Andy Harris. Congressman Harris voted to decertify the 2020 election and sided repeatedly with rioters from the Jan. 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. While I strongly disagree with Congressman Harris’ politics and actions, I also disagree with the uses and interpretation of democracy that Mr. Gilchrist explained.

My interpretation of democracy fully embraces the possibilities of good policy and constituent outreach that wins the votes necessary to render a verdict on Congressman Harris, not gerrymandering. Maryland Democrats should use the strength of seven U.S. congressmen and a veto-proof majority in the General Assembly to listen to constituents in Maryland’s 1st District and develop legislation that acknowledges and addresses their concerns.

Decisions made by the General Assembly over the next few weeks will impact Maryland voters for the next 10 years. We should give every Marylander the reasonable opportunity to enter a ballot booth with voters that share similar regional interests. Redrawing districts that shut out all chances of Republican representation in Maryland is not fair and does not display political courage or leadership.

Fair districts in Maryland would run East-West across the map and consider county boundaries, making it a far more politically realistic map that reflects Democrats’ strength in the south and Republicans’ strength in the north and along the Eastern Shore.

Democracy doesn’t punish the masses in order to indict or impose judgment on a few. What we believe must be proven through our actions and not simply what we say. We should strive to inspire our opposition by the example we set and avoid the allure of undemocratic gerrymandering tactics. I urge Democrats in the General Assembly to consider this during the upcoming special session.

— George Croom, Baltimore

The writer is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Maryland’s 3rd District.