Moore-Backed Map Targets Rep. Andrew P. Harris

LEAD: The Maryland Redistricting Advisory Commission convened by Governor Wes Moore voted Tuesday to recommend a congressional map that would redraw Rep. Andrew P. Harris's eight-term 1st District to add Annapolis and parts of Anne Arundel and Howard counties, the commission said.

CONTEXT: The proposal comes amid a national mid-decade redistricting fight launched last year by President Donald Trump and follows Gov. Wes Moore's push to join Democratic efforts to counter Republican mapmaking, with Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks saying the recommendation reflects public map submissions and three months of virtual hearings.

RESPONSE: Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, who served on the commission, said in a statement Tuesday that the map is "objectively unconstitutional" and "a flawed product" and warned courts could toss it, while Gov. Wes Moore and commission chair Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks defended the process as transparent.

SCALE: Democrats currently hold seven of Maryland's eight U.S. House seats and the commission's plan would give Democrats the potential to claim all eight seats, a shift supporters say could affect control of the House and opponents say could trigger legal challenges.

FORWARD: The commission's recommendation now moves to Maryland's Democratic-controlled General Assembly where lawmakers must act before the Feb. 24 congressional filing deadline and the June 23 primary unless dates are moved, and negotiators are also discussing a possible constitutional amendment or referendum, a source with knowledge of talks said.