By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Ahead of a Maryland House of Delegates hearing on an advisory commission’s recommended redistricted congressional map, faith leaders from across the state are urging Senate President William “Bill” Ferguson (D-Md.-46) to prioritize legislation that would advance redistricting efforts.
The appeal comes as the House prepares to fast-track the bill during a meeting scheduled for Jan. 27 at 3 p.m., in effort to expedite sending it to the Senate for consideration. Senate prioritization is critical, as the legislation must pass both chambers to reach the governor’s desk. Without Senate leadership support, the bill risks stalling and failing to advance.
Since late 2025, Ferguson has pushed back on the governor’s effort to redraw Maryland’s congressional map, part of a broader response by Democratic-led states to Republican redistricting ahead of the midterms. If approved, the new map could eliminate Maryland’s lone Republican congressional seat.
In a letter sent on Jan. 26, faith leaders framed redistricting as a moral and democratic imperative, arguing that state policy priorities cannot be separated from national political developments.
More than 20 Pastors joined together to write this letter to the Senate president, including Rev. Dr. Robert Turner, pastor of St. John Baptist Church; Rev. Brent Brown, pastor of Greater Harvest Baptist Church; and Rev. Delman Coates, pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church.
The full text of the letter follows:
“As concerned clergy from across the State of Maryland, we are writing to urge you to support redistricting efforts in our state to respond to the unprecedented attacks on our democracy. Marylanders of all backgrounds are deeply concerned about threats to the rule of law, the deterioration of our economy, and the undermining of our human rights that we are witnessing on our national level.
(Photos courtesy of Maryland Government)
Recently, you responded to a reporter, ‘While I appreciate the thoughts and advice of top Democrats, the Senate will continue focusing on the most pressing issues for Marylanders, including dealing with the budget, healthcare and energy costs.’ You continued further to say, ‘That’s what’s keeping Marylanders up at night, and that’s what we have a responsibility and obligation to focus on, and that’s where the Maryland Senate’s going to place our time.’
We are united in our conviction that the policy priorities you enumerate are inseparable from the national crisis we are facing. Maryland’s economy is tied to the welfare of our nation, and we cannot afford to ignore the measures being taken nationally to bypass the will of Marylanders. Our nation is facing an existential threat, and we cannot sit idly by, passively decrying what is happening in our country. This is a moral imperative and we must act now. Failure to do so will harm Maryland’s economy, threaten our democratic freedoms, and cede the power of the people to the power of a person.
We urge you to join efforts to protect Maryland from these attacks by supporting proposals to explore redistricting options in our state.”On the morning of Jan. 27, the AFRO sent a request to the office of Senate President Ferguson, but did not receive an immediate response.