Bill Ferguson

My latest newsletter is out, with updates on Maryland’s election results, record school ratings in Baltimore City, new Senate leadership appointments, and some great things happening across our district. If you’d like to receive these updates directly in your inbox, just send me a DM with your email address and say “please add me to your newsletter.” app.indigov.com/pub/outreach…

Where a statue of Roger B. Taney once stood on the grounds of the Maryland State House, a new monument now honors the Black Marylanders who helped fight for our nation's independence. Sunday's unveiling of The Pursuit of Transcendent Liberty was an important moment for Maryland, especially on the anniversary of our state's abolition of slavery. Created by sculptor Branly Cadet, this monument honors those who fought for freedoms they were themselves denied. The history we choose to commemorate matters. I'm proud that future generations visiting our State House will encounter this story of courage, service, and the long struggle for freedom. marylandmatters.org/2026/11/…

Senator Antonio Hayes writes about what it means to lead the Senate Finance Committee as a son of West Baltimore, the leaders who helped pave the way, and the responsibility that comes with making decisions that affect families across Maryland. I especially appreciated his reflections on Senator Delores Kelley, someone I learned so much from during my early years in the Senate, and his recognition that behind every policy decision are real people whose lives are affected. I’m proud to have @AntonioHayes40 leading the Finance Committee and look forward to the work ahead. baltimoresun.com/2026/11/05/…

A full Election Day across Maryland! After voting with Lea in Baltimore this morning, I headed out to spend time at the polls with Lara Westdorp in Frederick County, Senator Katie Fry Hester and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth in Howard County, and Senators Dawn Gile and Shaneka Henson in Anne Arundel County. It’s been great seeing so many Marylanders out participating in our democracy today. I’m optimistic about returning to Annapolis with a strong team of Democratic colleagues, ready to tackle the work ahead: lowering costs, strengthening our schools, and making life better for Maryland families. Still plenty of time to make your voice heard! Polls are open until 8PM.

I’ve always loved voting on Election Day. There’s something special about going to the polls with Lea, seeing our neighbors, and taking part in a tradition we all share. From our schools to our neighborhoods, the decisions we make at the ballot box help shape the future of our communities and our state. Every Marylander deserves a voice in that future. Whether you voted early, mailed in your ballot, or are heading to the polls today, thank you for participating in our democracy. Polls are open until 8PM!

October is National Principals Month, and I want to recognize the incredible school leaders across Maryland, especially those right here in Baltimore’s 46th Legislative District. Principals have an incredibly demanding job. Every day, they’re supporting teachers, working with families, solving problems, and making tough decisions, often without much recognition. To all of our principals in the 46th District and across Maryland, thank you for your leadership, your dedication, and everything you do for our students and school communities. Happy National Principals Month!

Maryland has extraordinary talent, research institutions, and innovative businesses. But we haven’t done enough to turn those strengths into the economic growth and good-paying jobs our state needs. This week at TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo in Baltimore, I joined CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall to discuss how we can better support entrepreneurs, attract private investment, and build an economy that creates more opportunities for Marylanders. Thank you to TEDCO for bringing together so many of the people helping shape Maryland’s future.

Baltimore is getting some well-deserved international recognition! @NatGeo named our city one of the 25 best places in the world to visit in 2027, highlighting our rich history, vibrant neighborhoods, cultural institutions, and the exciting things happening along our waterfront. I came to Baltimore more than 20 years ago and chose to build my life and raise my family here. It's a special place, and I love seeing the rest of the world discover more of what makes it so great. nationalgeographic.com/trave…

The Baltimore Running Festival is one of my favorite days of the year. There’s something pretty special about seeing neighbors gather along the streets for hours, cheering on thousands of runners, most of whom they’ve never met. The handmade signs, the creativity, the encouragement from complete strangers, the whole neighborhood coming outside to be part of it. It’s some of the very best of what community can look like. Lea and I were out cheering again today with my trusty Super Mario power-up sign. I’ve been using this same sign for years, and what you can’t see in the photo is the many layers of duct tape holding it together on the back. Still going strong! Congratulations to everyone who ran today. We loved cheering you on!

Two men were killed and three others wounded in a shooting overnight on East Lombard Street, including two teenagers just 14 and 15 years old. My heart is with the families grieving today, those who were injured, and everyone in Highlandtown shaken by this violence. Baltimore has made real progress in reducing violence with real coordination and accountability. But every shooting is a reminder of why we cannot let up even an inch. The type of chaotic violence we saw in Highlandtown is infuriating. We will not backtrack on the progress we've made to make neighborhoods safer. We must remain committed to preventing violence before it happens, supporting our young people and communities to stay safe, and holding those responsible accountable when violence like this occurs. Anyone with information about this shooting is urged to contact Baltimore Police at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. thebanner.com/community/crim…

Mental health touches every family and every community, yet too many people still struggle in silence or hesitate to reach out for support. On World Mental Health Day, we recommit to building a Maryland where asking for help carries no shame and quality care remains within reach. If you or someone you care about needs support, call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.

South Baltimore residents have raised persistent public health concerns about BRESCO incinerator ash and want the ability to independently verify what is in it. I’ve asked the Maryland Department of the Environment whether it can facilitate that testing and, if not, what options exist under current law and whether legislative action is needed.

I spent Saturday in Ellicott City knocking doors with Senator @katiefryhester along with Speaker @PenaMelnykforMD and Delegates Chao Wu and Natalie Ziegler. Senator Hester is an engineer by training. She spent 20 years in international development, building partnerships between companies, governments, and nonprofits, before she held office. She came to politics through Building Bridges, a group she started to restore civility in her community, and ran for the Senate in 2018. In the Senate, she helped secure $8.25 million for flood mitigation in Ellicott City, and she has co-chaired the legislature's cybersecurity committee since 2019. One of her bills signed into law this year targets the use of AI deepfakes to mislead voters. She won this seat in 2018 by less than two points, the only Democrat in Maryland to unseat a Republican senator that year. Keeping it matters, and she has earned another term.

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to stand with survivors and recognize every person’s right to feel safe at home. No one should live in fear behind closed doors, and we must keep strengthening the resources that help survivors find safety and rebuild their lives. If you are experiencing abuse, help is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You deserve to be heard and protected.

Tonight, Fells Point came together for two neighbors after an unthinkable act of violence. Earlier this afternoon, Claudia, the woman who was critically injured in Tuesday’s attack, died. I’m thinking especially of her husband, Wade, who was attacked alongside her, and of their family, friends and neighbors. Violence can make people retreat from the places they call home. Tonight was the opposite: neighbors came outside and stood together. Thank you to everyone who brought this community together tonight, especially Arch McKown, Brant Fisher, and Gail & Ron Furman.