Maryland Senate president faces primary after snubbing Democratic redistricting effort
Source: NBC News
June 19, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
BALTIMORE Front stoops in Baltimores historic south and southeast neighborhoods are usually decorated for spring with seasonal flowers, string lights and banners supporting the Baltimore Orioles.
But in the last few months, residents have added new accessories to their front porches: lawn signs supporting the state Senate campaigns of Bill Ferguson, Marylands current Senate president, or opponent Bobby LaPin, the first Democratic primary challenger Ferguson has faced in 12 years.
For prior elections I never even had my own campaign signs, I never had just Ferguson campaign signs, Ferguson told NBC News in an interview at his campaign headquarters in Locust Point, adding that he normally makes and distributes signs that don his name alongside those of the state delegates representing his district.
But this year, Ferguson faces a primary challenge from LaPin, a community activist, small business owner and Army veteran who amassed a following on Instagram promoting his sailing business and his activism well before he launched his bid for the seat last year. Now, LaPin is mounting an insurgent campaign in the wake of Fergusons decision last year not to pursue partisan redistricting in Maryland, in a rebuke to national Democratic leaders and Gov. Wes Moore.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/maryland-senate-president-faces-primary-snubbing-democratic-redistrict-rcna350062