MARYLAND (WBFF) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he plans to call a special session in Annapolis to redraw the state’s congressional district maps, reviving a contentious redistricting fight that stalled earlier this year.

“The status in Maryland is we are going to have a special session,” Moore said in an interview on CNN. Asked, “You are going to do it?” Moore replied, “We are going to do it.”

Moore told CNN the goal is for lawmakers to return to Annapolis and produce a new map. “Our House and our Senate will get together. They will come up with a resolution and bring it to my desk,” Moore said. “But the core criteria I’ve laid out is…doing nothing is not an option.”

It would be Moore’s second attempt at redistricting. Earlier this year, an advisory commission appointed by the governor proposed a map that would stretch the mostly Republican 1st Congressional District into largely Democratic Howard and Anne Arundel counties. The change would put Maryland’s only Republican member of Congress into a district with more Democratic voters.

The proposal drew sharp criticism during a hearing. “Governor Moore and Democrats in Annapolis, you are stealing our voice and our vote,” one speaker said. Moore responded, “It’s an important question of what’s the value of one vote and I think the answer to that is ‘what’s the value of democracy.’” Del. Kathy Szeliga said, “How can you ask us to trust democracy when you are taking it so lightly.”

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The measure passed in the House but never came to a vote in the Senate. In Annapolis today, Senate Democrats gathered to discuss what to do next.

“I think they’re meeting to figure out what can we do to make sure the judges don’t get involved and overturn what they’re trying to do,” said political analyst John Dedie.

A UMBC poll last year found only a fourth of Maryland voters considered redistricting a priority, with crime, education and health care viewed as more important.

Szeliga criticized Moore’s push, saying, “It’s unfortunate Wes Moore is doing the bidding of Democrats in Washington and not paying attention to the residents in the great state of Maryland.” Dedie said, “In many ways what he’s pursuing is future aspirations.”

Maryland’s last attempt to redraw congressional lines four years ago ended up in court, where a judge threw out the proposed maps, finding they were the product of “extreme partisan gerrymandering.” Szeliga, who successfully fought that court battle, said she is prepared to challenge another effort. “If they try to illegally change the constitution to make it unconstitutional we will challenge that,” she said.

Dediesaid a special session now appears likely. “The train has left the station. It’s just a matter of when it will arrive in Annapolis for special session,” he said.

One of the most unique ships featured in Sail250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore can be found docked at the Baltimore Peninsula.

USS Marinette LCS25 is one of the most functional ships in the Navy fleet. At 370 feet long with 80 crew members, the ship has a helicopter landing pad and hangar, two rib boats in the belly of the vessel, and heavy artillery, including a cannon.

The ship has four engines, two of which are like jet engines, meaning it can sprint ahead of other vessels to intercept watercraft. It can also truck side to side and spin 360 degrees with controllable reversing and steering deflector buckets attached to the stern of the jet propulsion system. It can also traverse the littoral zones, water close to shore, and navigate waters as low as 15 feet deep.

“Where we shine is our ability to operate where other ships can’t,” said Cdr. Brian Sims, the ship’s executive officer.  “For a 370-foot ship, one of the smallest in the fleet, it packs a punch. We can go 40 plus knots.”

The ship is used in counternarcotics missions primarily on the East Coast and in the Caribbean. 

It is based in Jacksonville, Florida, but was built in Marinette, Wisconsin, which is where the ship gets its name. It began operating in 2023 and has yet to deploy. The ship can be out on the water for weeks or even months.

“We go out and find drug trafficking individuals and intercept, and the Coast Guard then takes over and arrests,” Sims said.

The pilot house is where the ship truly shines. An officer and junior officer monitor the radar and navigation, while another sailor sits at the helm and oversees steering the vessel and monitoring the engines.

“This is a very unique design for Navy ships,” Sims added.

The ship also hosts several heavy artillery pieces, including a cannon on the bow with different types of rounds to combat different threats. It can fire 220 rounds in a minute.   

With its rich Naval history, Baltimore is playing host to some of the Navy’s finest, and the crews are equally as excited to be here in Maryland, the backbone of the Navy, celebrating 250 years of American history.

“Baltimore is a fantastic city, steeped in maritime tradition. Of course, we have Fort McHenry that we sailed past and rendered honors to when we arrived,” Sims said. “Having the ability to be in this role in this position on board this ship to celebrate the nation’s 250th, it’s an absolute honor, and one that, one that gives us all pause, and lets us reflect on where we’ve come as a nation.”