Losing population and bordering Baltimore County, Maryland's 41st legislative district is ripe for redistricting as Gov. Martin O'Malley prepares to redraw the post-census legislative map in January,.
That could create a city-county district, forcing legislators who represent the 41st in north and northwest Baltimore, including Roland Park and Mount Washington, to represent county residents as well.
Sen. Lisa Gladden wants to represent only city constituents and will fight any effort to create a city-county district, she told the Roland Park Civic League during a legislative update by lawmakers from the 40th and 41st Districts on Thursday.
"It takes every fiber in my body to represent the 41st as it is now because there are so many issues," she said. "Now you want me to find more issues in the county?"
Gladden said she has no desire to serve county residents.
"I don't want them and they don't want me," she said.
But 40th District Del. Shawn Tarrant tried to talk her out it.
"In the city, we've lost population, so we're slated to lose a district," Tarrant told the league as Gladden listened.
Baltimore could go from 18 to 15 delegates and from six to five senators citywide next year, Tarrant said.
"Why not share some of these borders?" he said.
Gladden said she's following advice from former State Sen. Barbara Hoffman, a fellow Democrat, who lost to Gladden in the 2002 Democratic primary after being redistricted out of the 42nd into the then-newly created 41st.
Gladden said Hoffman told her to "stand your ground" in a possible fight over redistricting next year.
But Tarrant said if Gladden doesn't compromise, she might find herself running for re-election in a new district - and meeting the same fate Hoffman did.
"You never want to lose representation, even if you have to share it," Tarrant said.