Legislative Redistricting Plan Benefits Eastern Baltimore County

Having recently reviewed the state legislative district map proposed by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, all signs point to our legislative district faring very well during the redistricting process. 

As many residents will recall, we were not so fortunate when then-Gov. Paris Glendenning unveiled his redistricting map a decade ago.  During the process, it took a lawsuit filed with our state’s highest court to overturn an ill-advised division of the communities that, among other changes, would have had Dundalk sharing a district with some of the western-most parts of Baltimore City. 

This time around, our district will not only keep every resident it had prior to the redistricting process, but will welcome additional Essex residents as well as businesses and community members along the Pulaski Highway corridor. 

I expect that the official map introduced by the governor will be substantively similar to the one that was recently offered by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, and do not foresee any additional changes to be made to the 6th legislative district. 

In some ways, this map represents an even better one than in 2000, both locally and across the state. In district six, I am first thankful that I continue to represent everyone currently residing in district six. 

I am also pleased that even more of the Essex community is included in this revised map, and happy that the extension of the district further down Pulaski Highway provides the opportunity to represent even more small businesses. 

These additions were possible because, while the Sixth District grew in population, it did not keep pace with the overall growth patterns of the state. Consequently, our district grew by capturing additional residents near the Southeast Freeway, Pulaski Highway, and Martin Boulevard. 

From a statewide perspective, it appears that map-makers took the advice of the Maryland Court of Appeals and avoided additional jurisdiction-line crossings: the map actually reduces the number of county line crossings across the state. 

The map also creates two additional majority-minority districts, reflecting some of the demographic shifts across Maryland.

This news comes on the heels of success where the communities in eastern Baltimore County fared well during the Congressional redistricting process. In the , I

The benefits of having this type cohesion within a Congressional district are substantial. Among other benefits, sharing one district means that there is little confusion about who our representative is, it is easy to speak to our Congressional representative with one voice on issues facing Congress, and it facilitates federal-state coordination on issues that impact our communities.

I am pleased that my advocacy, with the help of my legislative partners at the state and county level, on behalf of the residents, has resulted in similar success with our state legislative districts.  

I hope that everyone had a joyous Christmas and holiday season, and that we all have a prosperous and healthy New Year