The Politics Hour: VA Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell on redistricting Hail Mary episode artwork

EPISODE · May 15, 2026 · 48 MIN

The Politics Hour: VA Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell on redistricting Hail Mary

from The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi · host WAMU 88.5

After months as the main roadblock, it appears Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is softening his position on redistricting. The recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act and Maryland Governor Wes Moore notably leaving Ferguson off his list of political endorsements appear to be two big factors. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu gets behind the mic to tell us about what she's hearing from lawmakers about Maryland redistricting.Virginia Democrats are throwing a Hail Mary in hopes of saving their redistricting efforts. On Monday, they asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency injunction and for an order overturning the Virginia Supreme Court's decision to throw out redrawn congressional maps. We ask Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell where the last-ditch effort stands, what comes next, and why Democrats remain optimistic about the midterms.  Plus, we get the Virginia Democratic leader's thoughts on Governor Abigail Spanberger's veto of a collective bargaining bill.Homelessness is on the rise in the District, according to a new city report, with advocates blaming human services program cuts and the aggressive clearing of encampments. Some fear that further slashing proposed in this year's budget could lead to an even greater increase in homelessness. We ask Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember and chair of the Human Services Committee Matt Frumin what the council is doing to help city residents most at-risk. Plus, we talk with him about how his ward could decide the city's mayoral race and the deepening crisis in the Metropolitan Police Department.Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

After months as the main roadblock, it appears Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is softening his position on redistricting. The recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act and Maryland Governor Wes Moore notably leaving Ferguson off his list of political endorsements appear to be two big factors. WAMU's Maryland reporter Jenny Abamu gets behind the mic to tell us about what she's hearing from lawmakers about Maryland redistricting. Virginia Democrats are throwing a Hail Mary in hopes of saving their redistricting efforts. On Monday, they asked the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency injunction and for an order overturning the Virginia Supreme Court's decision to throw out redrawn congressional maps. We ask Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell where the last-ditch effort stands, what comes next, and why Democrats remain optimistic about the midterms.  Plus, we get the Virginia Democratic leader's thoughts on Governor Abigail Spanberger's veto of a collective bargaining bill. Homelessness is on the rise in the District, according to a new city report, with advocates blaming human services program cuts and the aggressive clearing of encampments. Some fear that further slashing proposed in this year's budget could lead to an even greater increase in homelessness. We ask Ward 3 D.C. Councilmember and chair of the Human Services Committee Matt Frumin what the council is doing to help city residents most at-risk. Plus, we talk with him about how his ward could decide the city's mayoral race and the deepening crisis in the Metropolitan Police Department. Send us questions and comments for guests: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885 Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

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The Politics Hour: VA Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell on redistricting Hail Mary

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This episode is 48 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 15, 2026.

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After months as the main roadblock, it appears Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is softening his position on redistricting. The recent Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act and Maryland Governor Wes Moore notably leaving...

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