Top Dem beats progressive who likened himself to Bernie Sanders in closely watched race

Bill Ferguson, Maryland’s Democratic Senate president, beat back a surprisingly serious challenge from a progressive candidate who goes by the social media moniker “Captain Bobby” in what became the state’s most closely watched race.

Though state Senate races rarely garner much national attention, Ferguson’s challenger, activist Bobby LaPin, drew outsized attention for his offbeat online presence, where he repeatedly accused Ferguson of being too establishment.

LaPin, an Army veteran, charter boat owner and social media personality, pitched himself to voters by saying, “I’m a Bernie Sanders” while calling Ferguson “a Chuck Schumer,” according to News From the States.

On Tuesday night, Ferguson fended off LaPin’s challenge, winning 56.6% of the vote to LaPin’s 43.4%. Ferguson’s primary victory in deep-blue Maryland Senate District 46, which is centered in Baltimore, all but guarantees he will retain his seat.

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LaPin took particular issue with Ferguson’s opposition to a redistricting bill that would have eliminated Maryland’s sole Republican congressional seat. LaPin’s campaign website ripped Ferguson, saying he “single-handedly prevented Maryland from answering Trump’s assault on democracy by preventing redistricting efforts championed by the Democratic Caucus of the U.S. Congress, the Maryland State Senate, and Governor Wes Moore.”

As Maryland Senate president, Ferguson rebuffed a push by Moore and national Democratic leaders to redraw Maryland’s congressional districts. Ferguson reportedly called the proposed map “objectively unconstitutional,” according to The Washington Post. He also stated that “the legal risks are too high, the timeline for action is dangerous, the downside risk to Democrats is catastrophic,” according to WTOP.

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The move drew heavy criticism from many Democrats. Questions were raised when Maryland Gov. Wes Moore conspicuously declined to endorse Ferguson despite Ferguson serving as one of the state’s most powerful Democrats.

Despite the controversy and buzz, Ferguson held a clear money advantage over LaPin.

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At age 43, Ferguson has held the state Senate seat since 2011. He was just 27 when he was first elected, becoming the youngest state senator in Maryland history. In 2020, he was unanimously elected president of the Maryland Senate, making him the second-youngest person to hold that office in state history. Ferguson’s background is in education, and he earned a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.