Voters in Maryland's District 46, which covers much of Baltimore City, have re-elected Senate President William Ferguson IV, sending the longtime lawmaker back to Annapolis for another term after he defeated Republican Emmanuel Digman in Tuesday's general election. The win extends a political career that began when Ferguson was just 27 years old and has now carried him to the top job in the Maryland Senate.
Ferguson first won the seat in January 2011 after knocking off an incumbent in that year's Democratic primary, then cruised through the general election unopposed, according to WBFF. At the time, he became Maryland's youngest-ever state senator. Nearly a decade later, in January 2020, Ferguson ascended to Senate president, taking over for Thomas Miller Jr., the station reports.
Ferguson's path to Annapolis ran through classrooms and nonprofits rather than a traditional political pipeline. Born in Silver Spring, he earned degrees from Davidson College, the Johns Hopkins University School of Education, and the University of Maryland School of Law, per the same account. Before entering the legislature full time, he taught social studies, worked as an education reform director at Johns Hopkins, and spent time at a nonprofit focused on economic opportunity; he now also serves as general counsel for a solar energy company.
Facing a Multibillion-Dollar Budget Gap
With the election behind him, Ferguson is turning attention to what he's calling his major priority: closing Maryland's $2.7 billion budget gap. ‘‘Cuts are coming,’’ he said, according to WBFF. He added that lawmakers would look to tighten spending before considering new taxes or fees, telling the station, ‘‘We're going to try to live within our means first and then if we can't get there fully, we'll have to explore different revenue measures.’’
The scale of the problem has been building for years. A November 2024 report from Maryland Matters projected a $2.7 billion deficit for fiscal 2026 that was expected to swell to nearly $6 billion over five years, with the structural deficit reaching almost $4.7 billion by fiscal 2028 and climbing to $5.9 billion by fiscal 2030. A separate WBFF report described a projected $2.5 billion shortfall heading into the next legislative session, underscoring the budget pressure Ferguson and his colleagues will face when the General Assembly reconvenes.
A Call for Common Ground
Despite the partisan contest that just wrapped up, Ferguson struck a conciliatory tone about his colleagues across the aisle, saying legislators have more in common than differences. The remark, reported by WBFF, comes as Annapolis braces for difficult budget negotiations that will test exactly how much common ground lawmakers can find.
Ferguson's reelection fits a pattern of durable support in District 46. Earlier this year, during the Democratic primary, the Associated Press projected Ferguson the winner over challenger Bobby LaPin, with Ferguson ahead 56.6% to 43.4% based on an estimated 72% of votes counted at the time, according to WBAL-TV. Maryland General Assembly seats, including the District 46 Senate post, carry four-year terms, according to The Banner's 2026 voter guide.
As of now, full vote totals, margins, and turnout figures for Tuesday's general election in District 46 have not been made available. The Banner cautions that the results it has displayed are preliminary and subject to change as additional votes are counted and recounted.
