Population (2010) 756,076 Cook PVI D+11 | Median income 97,192 Area 769.4 km² | |
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Current Representative Jamie Raskin (D–Takoma Park) Distribution 88.08% urban
11.92% rural Ethnicity 68% White
11% Black
9% Asian
13% Hispanic | ||
Jamie raskin progressive for maryland s 8th congressional district
Maryland's 8th congressional district stretches from the northern Washington, D.C. suburbs north towards the Pennsylvania border. The district is currently represented by Democrat Jamie Raskin.
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History
The district was created after the 1790 census in time for the 1792 election, was abolished after the 1830 census, and was reinstated after the 1960 census.
During redistricting after the 2000 census, the Democratic-dominated Maryland legislature sought to unseat then-incumbent Republican Connie Morella. One proposal went so far as to divide the district in two, effectively giving one to state Senator Christopher Van Hollen, Jr. and forcing then-incumbent Connie Morella to run against popular Maryland State Delegate and Kennedy political family member Mark Kennedy Shriver. The final redistricting plan was less ambitious, restoring an eastern, heavily Democratic spur of Montgomery County removed in the 1990 redistricting to the 8th District, as well as adding an adjacent portion from heavily Democratic Prince George's County located in Maryland's 5th congressional district. Although it forced Van Hollen and Shriver to run against each other in an expensive primary, the shift pushed the district into the Democratic column, and Van Hollen defeated Morella in 2002.
From 2003 to 2013 the district mostly consisted of the larger part of Montgomery County, also including a small portion of Prince George's County. The district now includes Carroll, Frederick, and parts of Montgomery County.