Maryland Senate District 46

What’s the job: One of 188 members of Maryland’s General Assembly, split between the House of Delegates and the Senate. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving state spending and providing oversight of Maryland government operations. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Sen. Bill Ferguson

Age: 43

Personal: Married to Lea Ferguson, one son, Caleb, and a daughter, Cora.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Davidson College; master’s degree, teaching, Johns Hopkins University School of Education; juris doctor, University of Maryland Baltimore Carey School of Law.

Experience: Member, Maryland Senate, District 46 (2011-present); president of the Maryland Senate (2020-present); general counsel, CI Renewables (May 2024-present); director of State Recovery Initiatives, America Achieves; director of reform initiatives, Johns Hopkins School of Education; strategic partnerships director, Curiosityville.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Name: Bobby LaPin

Age: 47

Personal: Married, wife Alicia.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, Towson University.

Experience: Co-owner, Boat Baltimore; incident management officer, National Operations Center; U.S. Army veteran; co-founder, Full of Hope; volunteer firefighter, former Baltimore City high school teacher.

Questionnaire

Q: Maryland’s state government is facing a structural deficit in future years. Please describe how you would approach closing the gap. Be specific about any spending cuts or revenue increases you propose.

Q: What do you consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland?

Q: What would you do to lower the cost of living for Maryland residents?

Q: The cost of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan will exceed the money available in the Blueprint’s fund over the next few years. Should the state raise new revenue for the programs, or should the programs be rolled back or adjusted?

Q: Besides an election, how do you want constituents to review your job performance?

Republican

Name: Emmanuel Digman

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.