Maryland primary pushed back 3 weeks over redistricting challenge

Maryland's primaries have been pushed back by three weeks, kicking the date from late June to mid-July.

The state Court of Appeals — the highest court in Maryland — punted the primary to July 19, back from June 28, as part of litigation surrounding a challenge to the state’s legislative maps that were passed in January.

The decision also moves the state’s filing deadline for all offices to April 15.

What’s on the ballot: The biggest contest Marylanders will be voting on this year is to replace the term-limited Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

Democrats view the Maryland contest as one of the best opportunities in the country to flip a governorship. The Democratic field has attracted nearly a dozen candidates — many of whom present an opportunity for the state to elect its first non-white man as governor. Wes Moore, a well-known author and entrepreneur, had raised the most money so far, but it is a crowded field without a runaway frontrunner at this early stage of the race.

The Republican race is likely a contest between state Del. Daniel Cox and Kelly Schulz, who was formerly Hogan’s secretary of commerce. Cox represents the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, having secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, while Hogan is supporting his former cabinet secretary.

Other races to watch include the contest to replace Democratic Rep. Anthony Brown in the state’s deep blue 4th District. Former Rep. Donna Edwards is vying to return to the House, but she has not cleared the field. Brown is running for attorney general.