Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D) faces a tough primary challenge after defying Democratic leaders including Gov. Wes Moore on redistricting.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) went public Wednesday with his pressure campaign urging Democratic state legislators to vote on a new congressional map. Why it matters: Jeffries doesn't usually put himself in such public conflict with fellow Democrats, but he'll will need every advantage he can get in his quest to become speaker in 2027. - The universe of competitive House seats is already historically small this midterm cycle. - Jeffries is trying to persuade as many Democrat-controlled states as possible to redraw their legislative maps to counteract the GOP's mid-decade redistricting in Texas, Missouri and elsewhere. Driving the news: Jeffries met Wednesday with Maryland state Senate President Bill Ferguson in…
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore 's national star is on the rise, but his relationships with fellow Democrats in his backyard are fraying. Why it matters: Moore appears to have little control over his state's Democrat-led legislature, as lawmakers repeatedly defy his wishes and override his vetoes even as he builds a national profile ahead of a potential 2028 campaign for president. - Several Maryland Democrats told Axios that Moore is talented, but he's struggled because of a lack of experience and, at times, arrogance. - State lawmakers overrode 19 of the bills Moore vetoed in December, including a bill to study reparations for descendants of enslaved people. Sources told Axios that veto particularly upset Black lawmakers. Driving the news:…