Any "fair" map in Maryland would likely just be 6-2, like the previous map, the closest thing to MD-02 would perhaps be potentially winnable for Republicans on paper but not in practice because Dutch Ruppersberger would easily win any BaltCo-based seat. I should point out that combining the panhandle with MontCo isn't really any more absurd than combining with it the Baltimore exurbs, neither area fits with it, just that the latter region happens to vote the same way.
Not to say that neither the current or previous map isn't an insane gerrymander, but the main reason it's that way is moreso due to the incumbents and some inconvenient residences. Both of timothy's maps above ignore communities of interest just as much as the current map, it just does so in a less ugly way, and would most likely still elect a 6-2 delegation regardless.
Yeah but that was Bob Elrich's(R) seat before Ruppersberger took it over. Without gerrymandering the Republicans have a chance at that seat. Thats why Elrich ran for Governor in 2002 because he knew he would be gerrymandered out of his seat by Maryland Democrats.
