Bill Ferguson (politician)

Lea Ferguson

​

(m. 2009)​

Bill Ferguson
86th President of the Maryland Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 8, 2020
Children	2
Residence(s)	Patterson Park, Baltimore, Maryland [1]
Education	Davidson College (BA) Johns Hopkins University (MEd) University of Maryland, Baltimore (JD)
Signature
Website	https://www.billformd.com

William Claiborne Ferguson IV (born April 15, 1983) is an American politician, attorney, and former schoolteacher. He is a Democratic member of the Maryland Senate, representing the 46th legislative district since 2011, and serving as the President of the Maryland Senate since January 8, 2020. The district is composed of parts of Baltimore City.

Education and early career

Ferguson was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School and Davidson College with a double major in political science and economics in 2005. ^[2] He then joined Teach For America, teaching history and government to ninth and tenth graders at Southwestern High School in Baltimore for two years. ^{[3] [4]} In 2007, he earned a Master of Arts degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Education. ^[5] Since 2012, Ferguson has served as the director of reform initiatives at the Johns Hopkins School of Education. ^{[3] [4]}

Ferguson served as a community liaison on educational issues for Sheila Dixon, the president of the Baltimore City Council, from 2005 to 2006. ^[5] From 2009 to 2010, he was a special assistant to Andres Alonso, the chief executive officer of Baltimore City Public Schools. ^[4] He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law with a Juris Doctor in 2010. ^[2]

In the legislature

In 2010, Ferguson challenged six-term incumbent George W. Della, Jr. for the Democratic nomination for the 46th district in the Maryland Senate. He won the primary election by a margin of 59-41%. ^{[3] [6] [7]} Running in a heavily Democratic district, he won the general election with no formal opposition, receiving 98% of the vote. ^[8] He is the youngest state senator ever elected in Maryland. ^[5] His youth earned him the nickname of "Baby Senator". ^[9]

On October 24, 2019, Senate Democrats unanimously voted to nominate Ferguson to succeed Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller. ^[10] Ferguson was perceived as more progressive than Miller. ^{[11] [12]} He was sworn in as Senate President on January 8, 2020. ^[13]

Personal life

Ferguson with one of his children, 2014

Ferguson is married to Lea (née Smith), who he proposed to during the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. ^[14] Together, they live in Patterson Park and have two children. ^[15]

Political positions

Education

Ferguson supports the Kirwan Commission recommendations, also known as the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, ^[16] and served on the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education before becoming President of the Maryland Senate. ^[17]

Ferguson opposed legislation introduced during the 2015 legislative session that would have armed school resource officers while they patrolled schools, calling it a "counterproductive strategy" and saying that counseling and other services would be more useful in enhancing school safety. ^[18]

In 2018, Ferguson blamed Governor Larry Hogan after Baltimore schools closed early amid facilities problems, saying that the governor did not provide adequate funding for public schools. ^[19]

Environment

In 2019, Ferguson voted in favor of an amendment to make the Wheelabrator Incinerator ineligible to receive renewable energy subsidies, which passed in a 34-12 vote. ^[20]

Gun policy

During the 2013 legislative session, Ferguson voted for the Firearm Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles. In November 2023, he criticized a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that struck down a provision of the state's Firearm Safety Act that required handgun owners to obtain a "handgun qualification license" to buy a handgun. ^[21]

Marijuana

Ferguson supports the legalization of recreational marijuana, saying he'd support legalizing it by passing a law during the General Assembly session. ^{[22] [23]} In 2021, he co-sponsored legislation to legalize marijuana. ^[24] In 2022, Ferguson said that a voter referendum to legalize marijuana "wouldn't be his first choice", ^[25] but stressed that it would be unfair to put the question before the voters without letting them know the details of the state's marijuana program. ^{[26] [27]}

Policing

During the 2018 legislative session, Ferguson introduced legislation that would establish a Commission to Restore Trust in Policing to investigate the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force, whose members' abuse of power over several years resulted in federal convictions of eight of the unit's nine officers on racketeering charges related to a robbery and extortion scheme. ^{[28] [29]} The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on May 15, 2018. ^[30] The Commission published its final report on December 2, 2020. ^[31] In February 2021, Ferguson said that he would support repealing and replacing the state's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights. ^[32]

In March 2021, Ferguson said that he would support giving Baltimore full local control of its police department, supporting a bill to include a city charter amendment to do so on the ballots of Baltimore voters as soon as 2022. ^[33] The bill passed both chambers and became law on May 8, 2021. ^{[34] [35]}

In October 2021, Ferguson spoke out against Governor Hogan's proposal to increase funding for local law enforcement, saying in a statement that "divisive rhetoric does not make us safer" and that "improving public safety isn't about just writing a bigger check", but said that lawmakers "support investments that enhance trust and safety". ^[36]

Social issues

Ferguson speaks at an Equal Rights Amendment rally, 2024

Ferguson was a co-sponsor of the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland. ^[37]

In June 2021, Ferguson spoke out against Governor Hogan's decision to opt out of federal unemployment insurance programs provided under the American Rescue Plan Act, writing a letter to the governor urging him to rethink the decision. ^[38]

During the 2022 legislative session, Ferguson introduced legislation that would require companies on The Block in Baltimore to close at 10 p.m. nightly. ^[39] Following a compromise made between city politicians and venues on The Block, the bill was amended to require clubs to hire off-duty Baltimore police officers to patrol the nightlife district three nights a week and implement new security rules. ^[40] The bill unanimously passed both chambers and became law on April 9, 2022. ^[41]

In October 2023, Ferguson said he supported reforms to the process for filling vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly. He also endorsed ranked-choice voting in Maryland elections, but conceded that it was unlikely to pass the legislature anytime soon. ^[42]

Taxes

In 2020, Ferguson stated that he would be opposed to an across-the-board increase in taxes to pay for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a sweeping education reform bill. ^{[43] [44]} During that year's legislative session, he introduced legislation that would levy a tax on digital advertising to pay for the Commission's reforms, ^[45] which passed but was vetoed by Governor Hogan on May 7, 2020. ^[46] The General Assembly voted to override the governor's veto on February 12, 2021. ^[47]

In May 2022, Ferguson rejected calls for an extension to Maryland's fuel tax holiday, claiming it would have "long-term consequences" for critical infrastructure in the state. ^[48]

Transportation

In 2013, Ferguson called for a "rethink" of the Red Line, ^[49] backing a proposal by the Right Rail Coalition to replace the eastern leg of the Red Line with a streetcar network. ^{[50] [51]}

In 2015, Ferguson sponsored legislation that would regulate and tax ridesharing companies in Maryland, but also allow such companies to operate under less regulations than traditional taxi companies. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on April 14, 2015. ^[52]

Following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March 2024, Ferguson introduced an emergency bill to provide income replacement for workers impacted by the disaster. ^[53]

Electoral history

Maryland Senate District 46 Democratic primary election, 2010 ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Ferguson	5,248	59.0
	Democratic	George W. Della Jr. (incumbent)	3,641	41.0

Maryland Senate District 46 election, 2010 ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Ferguson	19,126	97.9
	Write-in		412	2.1

Maryland Senate District 46 election, 2014 ^[54]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Ferguson (incumbent)	17,320	97.3
	Write-in		407	2.3
	Democratic	Mateen Rasul Zar (Write In)	77	0.4

Maryland Senate District 46 election, 2018 ^[55]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Ferguson (incumbent)	26,203	78.2
	Republican	Christine Digman	7,238	21.6
	Write-in		60	0.2

Maryland Senate District 46 election, 2022 ^[56]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Ferguson (incumbent)	24,977	84.6
	Republican	Emmanuel Digman	4,486	15.2
	Write-in		50	0.2

References

1. "State Senator Bill Ferguson". Baltimore City Senate Delegation. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
2. "William C. Ferguson IV, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 29, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
3. Cox, Erin (January 2, 2020). "Teach for America to Senate president: Ferguson to step into biggest role yet". The Washington Post . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
4. Wood, Pamela (October 25, 2019). "4 things to know about Bill Ferguson, the next Maryland Senate president". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
5. Wilson, Kelly (Fall 2010). "Were You Phenomenal Today?". Chidsey Leadership Lecture Series. Davidson College. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
6. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections.
7. Linskey, Annie; Walker, Andrea (September 15, 2010). "Ferguson topples Baltimore Senator Della". The Baltimore Sun .
8. "2010 General Election Official Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections.
9. Wood, Pamela; Broadwater, Luke (October 24, 2019). "Miller says he'll step down as Maryland senate president; Democrats pick Baltimore's Bill Ferguson to replace him". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
10. Waldman, Tyler (October 24, 2019). "Miller Steps Down As Senate President". WBAL (AM) . Retrieved October 24, 2019.
11. DePuyt, Bruce (October 24, 2019). "A Changing of the Guard — and the Senate Culture". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
12. Cohen, Rachel M. (November 16, 2019). "As Longest-Serving Senate President In U.S. History Steps Aside, Maryland Set For A Political Shakeup". The Intercept . Retrieved February 1, 2020.
13. Wilen, Holden (January 8, 2020). "Baltimore's Bill Ferguson officially takes over as Maryland Senate president". Baltimore Business Journal . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
14. Neufeld, Sara (January 20, 2009). "Bill's inauguration essay secret revealed". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
15. "Orrick Public Policy Podcast #7 – A Conversation with Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson". orrick.com. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. May 27, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
16. Locke, Lisa Nevans (April 15, 2019). "Legislators With Teaching Backgrounds Bring Big-Picture Thinking to Education Policy". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
17. Gaines, Danielle (February 18, 2020). "Breaking Down the Blueprint Bill". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
18. Green, Erica (March 16, 2015). "School police plead to resurrect weapons bill". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
19. Kelly, Amita; Madden, Mary Rose (January 3, 2018). "Baltimore Schools Closed After Outrage Over Frigid Classrooms". NPR . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
20. Broadwater, Luke; Dance, Scott (March 19, 2019). "Maryland Senate again advances bill making Baltimore trash incinerator ineligible for 'green' energy subsidies". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
21. Segelbaum, Dylan; Wood, Pamela (November 21, 2023). "Maryland can't enforce handgun licensing law". Baltimore Banner . Retrieved November 22, 2023.
22. Gaines, Danielle (October 26, 2021). "Goucher Poll: Support for Marijuana Legalization Dips Slightly, Hogan Remains Popular". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
23. Wood, Pamela (October 26, 2021). "Poll: Support drops slightly for marijuana legalization in Maryland". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
24. Gaskill, Hannah (February 4, 2021). "Feldman Pushes Cannabis Legalization, Ferguson Co-Signs". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
25. Frost, Mikenzie (March 7, 2022). "Lawmakers continue to mull Maryland's marijuana legalization framework options". WBFF . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
26. McCord, Joel (January 12, 2022). "State lawmakers moving to legalize marijuana". WYPR . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
27. Jaeger, Kyle (April 1, 2022). "Maryland Lawmakers Officially Put Marijuana Legalization On The Ballot, Also Sending Implementation Bill To Governor". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
28. Zorzi, William (April 9, 2018). "Wide-Ranging Bill Probing Baltimore Police Gains 11th-Hour Momentum Without Much Scrutiny". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
29. Broadwater, Luke (April 5, 2018). "Maryland Senate approves panel to probe Baltimore police corruption". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
30. "Legislation - SB1099". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
31. Fenton, Justin (December 2, 2020). "GTTF Commission report faults Baltimore police department leadership, makes reform recommendations". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
32. Stole, Bryn (February 12, 2021). "Momentum grows to repeal Maryland Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights. But how to replace it is up in the air". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
33. Stole, Bryn (March 1, 2021). "Maryland lawmakers weigh giving Baltimore full local control of police for first time in 160 years". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
34. Stole, Bryn (March 30, 2021). "Bill to ask Baltimore voters to decide local control of city police department advances in Maryland legislature". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
35. "Legislation - SB0786". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
36. Stole, Bryn (October 15, 2021). "Bashing Baltimore and the 'radical left,' Gov. Hogan pitches $150 million boost in Maryland public safety spending". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
37. Linskey, Annie (February 9, 2011). "Brochin reconsidering stand on same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
38. Knezevich, Alison; Wood, Pamela (June 2, 2021). "Maryland lawmakers ask whether they can undo Gov. Hogan's decision to cut off unemployment benefits". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
39. Stole, Bryn; Wood, Pamela (January 20, 2022). "Officials seek early closing time for adult clubs on The Block in Baltimore". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
40. Stole, Bryn (February 18, 2022). "Clubs on Baltimore's Block would chip in for extra patrols in possible 'compromise' to avoid 10 p.m. last call". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
41. "Legislation - SB0222". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
42. Kurtz, Josh (October 10, 2023). "Ferguson favors reforming system for filling legislative vacancies". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 10, 2023.
43. Gaines, Danielle (January 7, 2020). "10 Issues for the 2020 General Assembly Session". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
44. Broadwater, Luke (January 5, 2020). "Education is top priority for Maryland General Assembly leaders, who pledge reforms without a big tax increase". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
45. Gaines, Danielle (January 30, 2020). "Senators Want to Tax Digital Ads to Fund School Reforms". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
46. Gaines, Danielle (May 7, 2020). "Education Reform Plan Among Three Dozen Bills Vetoed by Hogan". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
47. Wood, Pamela (February 12, 2021). "Maryland lawmakers override Hogan vetoes on education, advertising bills". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
48. Janesch, Sam (May 25, 2022). "Maryland lawmakers won't intervene to stop automatic 7-cent gas tax increase despite calls to do so". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
49. Reutter, Mark (May 3, 2013). "Red Line planner answers his critics". Baltimore Brew . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
50. Reutter, Mark (April 16, 2013). "Pro-transit coalition seeks alternatives to Red Line on East Side". Baltimore Brew . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
51. Babcock, Stephen (December 10, 2014). "Red Line Alternative Shopped to Republicans". Baltimore Fishbowl. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
52. Rector, Kevin (April 14, 2015). "Uber, Lyft secure future in Maryland with passage of ride-share law". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 17, 2022.
53. Wood, Pamela (March 27, 2024). "Lawmakers work on emergency aid to Port of Baltimore workers following Key Bridge collapse". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved March 27, 2024.
54. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014.
55. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018.
56. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.

Political offices
Preceded by Thomas V. Miller Jr.	President of the Maryland Senate 2020–present	Incumbent