Moore Spends $1.75 Million to Push Maryland Redistricting Measure

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is facing a costly uphill battle to win a single congressional seat. While his re-election on Nov. 3 looks secure, a ballot question that would allow Democrats to redraw district lines is struggling to gain traction among voters. Moore and his allies have poured money into a late-stage push to pass the measure, known as Question 3, which would eliminate the constitutional requirement for natural boundaries in district maps.

The fight began when state Senate President Bill Ferguson blocked a legislative attempt to redraw districts earlier this year. Ferguson cited a lack of majority support in his chamber, pointing to a previous map that a judge struck down in 2022. In response, Democrats put the issue to voters in August. The measure would allow the state to override natural boundaries, such as the Chesapeake Bay, to create a map with eight Democratic districts instead of the current seven.

Support for the measure appears weaker than party leaders expected. A survey from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, released this month, found that 53% of likely voters plan to vote no. The opposition includes 42% of Democrats, 74% of Republicans, and 59% of unaffiliated voters. Mileah Kromer, the director of the UMBC Institute of Politics, noted that many voters question whether favoring one party with district lines aligns with democratic principles.

In reaction to the polling, Moore’s campaign shifted its advertising focus away from his own re-election bid. According to AdImpact, the group Fight Back MD has spent $550,000 on TV ads this month to promote Question 3. Moore’s campaign added another $700,000 for a commercial featuring state Democratic leaders and $500,000 for a digital and TV spot featuring former President Barack Obama. The total spending reached $1.75 million in recent weeks.

Despite the spending, internal divisions remain. Ferguson, who helped pass the measure, has not committed to using the new authority to draw a map in the 2027 legislative session. His communications director, David Schuhlein, said Ferguson is currently focused on retaining and expanding the party’s hold on state Senate seats. Some donors have hesitated to contribute because of this uncertainty, according to an operative familiar with the campaign.

The outcome will likely impact Moore’s 2028 presidential prospects. Republicans in Maryland argue that winning all eight congressional districts would serve as a trophy for a White House run. Moore’s campaign has not committed to a full second term, with the governor stating in a debate that he would not run for re-election if he were not committed to the people of Maryland. If the measure fails, opponents plan to cite the effort as a missed opportunity to gain an advantage.

Voters will decide the fate of Question 3 on the same ballot as Moore’s re-election bid. The measure requires a simple majority to pass. If it succeeds, the state legislature can redraw congressional districts without adhering to natural geographic boundaries, potentially altering the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2028 election cycle.