In the sweltering summer of 2022, a Baltimore bar served as the backdrop for an ambitious meeting of minds: Wes Moore and Bill Ferguson, two political stalwarts of Maryland, were brimming with hope for the future of their party. With the Democrats on the brink of full control over the state government, their partnership appeared to herald a new era for a party that had long been dominant in this blue-leaning locale.
Moore, a distinguished former Rhodes Scholar and a decorated combat veteran, was making his bid for governor with the enthusiastic endorsement of Oprah Winfrey, albeit lacking any prior experience in public office. Ferguson, on the other hand, had earned a reputation as a savvy consensus-builder, having climbed the ranks from the “baby senator” to Senate president in the span of a decade.
“I’m a Baltimorean,” Moore proclaimed to the gathered campaign volunteers in Federal Hill, Ferguson’s home turf since his election in 2010 at just 27. “Who’s making these decisions matters.” Little did they know, three years later, their unity would be put to the test over a contentious issue: redistricting.
Fast forward to the present, and the once-promising alliance finds itself frayed over a critical decision regarding Maryland’s U.S. congressional lines. Moore is advocating for a redistricting strategy aimed at securing an additional congressional seat for the Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections. Ferguson, haunted by a previous experience that left him with scars after an extreme map he supported was struck down by the courts, has remained reticent, refusing to even entertain a vote on new redistricting measures.
This growing divide underscores a significant fault line emerging within both major parties. As Democrats and Republicans alike scour the national landscape for opportunities to bolster their congressional positions through gerrymandering, Ferguson’s position has painted him as a villain in the eyes of party officials nationwide. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has made it clear to Ferguson that he “understands the assignment,” and California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom has publicly urged him to “grow a pair” and stand up against the Trumpian tide.
The impasse is likely to escalate in the coming weeks as Moore wrestles with a pivotal decision: summon a special session and hope Ferguson can rally the troops for a gerrymandered map, or bide his time until the General Assembly reconvenes in January, allowing for further negotiations. Either path presents its own challenges, as Moore will need to convince 24 of the 34 Democratic senators to defy a respected leader whose control over campaign funds could significantly impact their reelection prospects.
While Moore is often perceived as the towering figure in this political landscape—possibly even eyeing a presidential run in 2028—it is Ferguson who many believe has made a stronger case for a more cautious approach to the redistricting dilemma.
“Ferguson holds the cards,” asserts former state Sen. Jill Carter, who has served under both men. “Moore is very popular and charismatic, but Bill is very politically savvy.”
William Claiborne Ferguson IV hails from Silver Spring, Maryland, where he grew up with a conservative father in commercial real estate and a mother who championed labor unions and adored Bill Clinton. His elite education at Georgetown Preparatory School—a breeding ground for influential figures including Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh—set the stage for his future pursuits. However, a transformative experience with Teach for America in one of Baltimore’s most challenging schools shifted Ferguson’s trajectory from business aspirations to a commitment to progressive politics.
After earning a law degree from the University of Maryland, Ferguson challenged long-standing Democratic state Sen. George W. Della Jr. in 2010. The primary campaign was marked by intense mudslinging, but Ferguson managed to present a clear choice to voters: continue with the status quo or join him in forging a new future.
As a member of a Maryland Senate long dominated by Mike Miller, a veteran known for his hardball tactics, Ferguson gained recognition as a mild-mannered policy expert, particularly on education and budget matters. His ascension to Senate president at the age of 36 was celebrated by many as a significant generational shift towards a more progressive era.
“Bill Ferguson is more collaborative. He listens. He is open to changing his mind when arguments are effectively made,” noted state Sen. Cheryl Kagan, who has served under both Miller and Ferguson. “He’s less of a king and more of a leader among equals.”
During his tenure as Senate president, Ferguson focused on countering the Republican agenda pushed by then-Gov. Larry Hogan. In the last two years of Hogan’s second term, Maryland Democrats successfully overrode numerous vetoes, achieving bipartisan victories along the way, including the largest tax cut in state history.
However, a standoff over redistricting after the 2020 Census left a lasting impression on Ferguson. With Maryland’s population increasing by half a million, Hogan seized the opportunity to challenge Democratic control over a critical congressional district, leading to a fierce battle over redistricting that culminated in a court decision striking down the Democrats’ map as an extreme partisan gerrymander.
Reflecting on this experience, Ferguson now acknowledges a misjudgment in supporting an aggressive redistricting strategy that ultimately backfired. “Experience does matter. What you’ve seen and gone through in the past does matter,” says Malcolm Augustine, a leading Democrat in the Maryland Senate.
As the new year dawned in January 2023, Ferguson welcomed Moore, Maryland’s first African American governor, to Annapolis during an inauguration ceremony that celebrated both leaders’ political milestones. However, the optimism that accompanied their partnership was soon overshadowed by economic challenges, as a downturn led to significant budget deficits and stalled initiatives that had once seemed within reach.
Throughout the year, the friction between Maryland’s top Democrats became increasingly apparent. Moore’s inability to pass key legislation, including a bill to expand nuclear power, alongside Ferguson’s involvement in a commission studying reparations, highlighted their diverging priorities. Moore’s veto of the reparations bill was particularly contentious, interpreted by many as a bid to appeal to a broader national narrative.
The crux of their discord, however, lies in the escalating debate surrounding redistricting. As Republicans in Texas began exploring opportunities for partisan gerrymandering, Maryland Democrats felt the pressure to respond in kind. Ferguson’s initial openness to redistricting shifted towards resistance as he voiced concerns over the potential legal ramifications of a mid-cycle gerrymander. His caution is rooted in the belief that aggressive redistricting could jeopardize Democratic seats rather than secure them.
Despite the mounting pressure from national party leaders, Ferguson’s steadfast refusal to budge has drawn both criticism and support from his colleagues. Some Democrats have begun to echo his concerns, recognizing the inherent risks of engaging in a political battle that could backfire. Others, however, view his caution as a sign of weakness in a time where bold action is needed.
Ferguson’s position has not only drawn the ire of party officials but has also ignited a primary challenge from within. Bobby LaPin, a social media influencer with a burgeoning political profile, has emerged as a contender, citing Ferguson’s resistance to redistricting as a key motivator for his campaign.
As Maryland’s commission concludes its work in December, Moore faces a critical decision point. He can either call a special session to address redistricting or wait for the regular session in January, each option laden with political consequences. The interplay between these two leaders will determine not just the fate of Maryland’s congressional map but also the trajectory of their respective political futures.
Ultimately, the dynamic between Moore and Ferguson illustrates a broader struggle within the Democratic Party, torn between immediate electoral gains and the long-term integrity of their political strategy. As the clock ticks down to the midterm elections, the stakes have never been higher, and the question remains: will they find common ground, or will their differences lead to a fracture that could reshape Maryland’s political landscape?
