Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) signaled Tuesday that efforts to pass a new set of congressional district lines before November are likely dead, dealing a blow to a major priority for state and national Democrats. Speaking to reporters, Ferguson said redistricting is no longer being pursued by Senate leadership.

“We are not prioritizing that piece of legislation,” Ferguson said. “We don’t have a habit in the Senate of moving forward things that don’t have an opportunity.”

Ferguson’s remarks came less than a day after Maryland House Democrats advanced a proposed congressional map that would give Democrats an 8–0 advantage in the state’s House delegation. Maryland currently has a 7–1 Democratic-leaning delegation, with Rep. Andy Harris as the lone Republican.

The proposed map would place House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris from a solidly Republican district into a solidly Democratic district, effectively shifting Maryland’s congressional delegation from 7–1 to 8–0.

Democrats in Maryland, including Gov. Wes Moore (D), along with national party leaders, have been urging lawmakers to move quickly to redraw the map ahead of the 2026 elections in hopes of creating an additional Democratic pickup opportunity in the House.

Ferguson’s stance, however, is consistent with his previous skepticism toward redistricting.

It remains unclear whether the legislation will even advance out of committee. The proposal includes both the new House map and a constitutional amendment that would ask voters to allow the Democratic-favored lines to remain in place until after the 2030 census reapportionment. “The opportunity to impact the ’26 election, that window is closed,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s comments are expected to frustrate Moore and other Democrats and could increase pressure on the Senate president to reconsider. The timing is also tight, as Maryland’s candidate filing deadline is approaching, with congressional candidates required to file by Feb. 24.

Similar redistricting efforts are underway elsewhere. Virginia Democrats are attempting to pass a new House map, though a judge recently ruled they could not hold a redistricting referendum in time for the 2026 midterms, a decision the party is appealing. Florida Republicans, meanwhile, are expected to convene in April to redraw their map, where the GOP could gain up to five additional pickup opportunities.