Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday rolled out a broad slate of Democratic endorsements across Maryland, from county executives to prosecutors and House leadership, but Senate President Bill Ferguson was conspicuously left off the list. The omission throws extra light on an intra-party rift that has been simmering for months as lawmakers and candidates maneuver ahead of the primary season. Instead of rallying behind the Senate president, Moore lined up behind a roster of Democrats who could reshape contests in Baltimore and the surrounding counties.
According to FOX45 News, Ferguson visited Moore’s residence seeking the governor’s backing and showed up at Moore’s May 2 campaign launch, but still did not make the new endorsement cut. The outlet reports that Moore and Ferguson discussed endorsing one another, yet never finalized a deal. Bobby LaPin, who is challenging Ferguson in the primary, brushed off the drama online, saying the campaign “isn’t focused on politicians endorsing politicians.”
Redistricting Rift Looms Over The Move
The missing endorsement sits atop a longer-running dispute over mid-cycle redistricting that has put Moore at odds with some Senate leaders. The New York Times reported that Moore convened a redistricting advisory commission and that the Maryland House signed off on a new congressional map this winter, but Ferguson declined to bring that map to the Senate floor. He argued the chamber did not have the votes and that making a late change to district lines could be risky. That standoff has turned what might have been routine endorsement decisions into a proxy fight over who sets strategy inside the state party.
Moore’s Picks For Key Races
FOX45 News reports that Moore’s endorsement slate includes Baltimore County Council Chair Julian Jones for Baltimore County executive and Sarah David for Baltimore County state’s attorney, along with Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary for Howard County executive and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk. The governor also threw his support behind Congresswoman April McClain Delaney in her rematch with David Trone, a move highlighted by the April McClain Delaney campaign. Taken together, the picks outline where Moore is placing his political capital ahead of closely watched local and federal battles.
Governor Frames It As Team Building
Moore cast the endorsements as part of his broader "Delivering for Maryland" agenda, arguing that these candidates will help keep up momentum on public safety, everyday costs for families, and education, according to a Governor’s Office press release. The statement stressed the need for aligned partners in Annapolis and across the state to preserve recent declines in violent crime and other gains. In that framing, the endorsements serve both as a policy roadmap and a clear signal to rivals about where Moore plans to invest his influence.
What Comes Next
The snub is likely to sharpen primary-season calculations in Annapolis and Baltimore County, where candidates often lean on outside backing and big-name allies to draw contrasts. Ferguson still controls the Senate calendar and committee assignments, which gives him substantial leverage even without Moore’s explicit blessing. Expect the redistricting clash and these endorsement fault lines to surface in the next waves of fundraising pitches, mail pieces, and headline-grabbing moments on the campaign trail.
