Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson secured his seat Saturday, winning a competitive Democratic primary against challenger Bobby LaPin. Ferguson received 56.6% of the vote, while LaPin took 43.4%, according to unofficial results.
LaPin, an Army veteran, charter boat owner, and social media personality, drew attention for his online presence, where he called himself “a Bernie Sanders” and labeled Ferguson “a Chuck Schumer,” as reported by News From the States. The race in Baltimore’s District 46, a reliably Democratic district, is considered a foregone conclusion for Ferguson in the general election.
LaPin criticized Ferguson for opposing a redistricting bill that aimed to eliminate Maryland’s only Republican congressional seat. LaPin’s campaign accused Ferguson of preventing Maryland from responding to former President Donald Trump’s efforts to influence redistricting, citing a statement on LaPin’s campaign website.
Ferguson, who has served in the Maryland Senate since 2011 and was elected Senate president in 2020, opposed the redistricting plan, calling it “objectively unconstitutional,” according to The Washington Post. He argued that the legal and procedural risks of the map were too high, and that moving forward could be damaging for Democrats.
The primary drew criticism from some Democrats after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declined to endorse Ferguson. Despite the controversy, Ferguson maintained a significant fundraising advantage over LaPin. At age 43, Ferguson has a long history in Maryland politics, including being the state’s youngest senator when first elected at age 27.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
