The morning after his primary election loss to Senate President Bill Ferguson, Bobby LaPin woke up and smashed together a grilled cheese and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Then he jumped into his Toyota to scour the 46th District for his remaining campaign signs.
The night before, a spirited Democratic primary challenge against Ferguson ended in a double-digit loss.
Nationally, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani struck fear into the Democratic establishment by backing three progressive candidates who went on to win congressional races — including knocking off two incumbents. But in Baltimore, LaPin, who shares much of Mamdani’s ideology, managed only to give Maryland’s most powerful lawmaker a jump scare.
LaPin’s grassroots challenge, waged on Baltimore’s front stoops and Instagram feeds, was no match for a 16-year veteran politician with a war chest and battle-worn relationships.
“He had money to do everything,” LaPin said Wednesday of Ferguson’s retail politicking, TV ads and canvassing.
LaPin oscillated between hope and self-doubt as he rolled through the district’s northeast side, one bare foot up on the dashboard.
“I think I could have worked harder,” he said of his third try for elected office in Maryland.
Maybe he should have spent money on digital ads? Made more mailers or knocked on some doors more than once? It took him too long to design his yard signs, he said, calling himself a perfectionist. He could have done more community events, like barbecues, and built coalitions.
He said he made too many social media videos blasting Ferguson. To him it was never about “Bill versus Bobby,” but the people versus corruption, corporations and establishment politicians. Ferguson, he said, “was just a figurehead.”
LaPin counted small victories.
He said his progressive, anti-status-quo message resonated with people. His straight-to-camera social media delivery cultivated a following and drew national media attention.
His presence, he believes, spurred Ferguson to act on immigration bills the Senate had previously shelved. He helped channel frustration with Ferguson’s decision to block congressional redistricting. LaPin said he got voters to look at Ferguson’s record for the first time in 16 years.
“What do you know when 45% of your district doesn’t want you to be their senator?” LaPin asked, rounding up his share of votes tallied at the time.
LaPin took a thick, black Sharpie he’d just bought at the Canton Ace Hardware and wrote “THANK YOU” on the back of one of his campaign yard signs, using the hood of his car as a desk.
As he continued to his next stop, he imagined a short list of what could be next for him.
The military veteran wants to mobilize with other progressives to get Ferguson and other politicians to stop taking donations from Baltimore Gas and Electric. He’d maybe consider another run for office. A large social media following and an email list with tens of thousands of subscribers are hard-won campaign assets. He’s just not sure how he’ll use them.
One thing is certain: He plans to reopen his sailboat charter business in a few weeks, giving tours of the Inner Harbor and loving on Baltimore.
He walked to the raised Boston Street median and planted his DIY thank-you note in the grass. Drivers honked and waved. One woman yelled out the window of her gray sedan, “Good job, Bobby. I’m sorry that you lost, but good job.”
LaPin said he feels a responsibility to continue what he started. He’s rallied a progressive community against the status quo and challenged real power. People tell him his message brought them hope.
So what’s next? He tackled the question again, standing by his parked car, dragging on a Camel and sipping Liquid Death water from a tall red-and-gold can.
He didn’t have a solid answer. It was one day past an intense public defeat, and maybe he wasn’t supposed to know yet. He said he asked Ferguson to meet him for breakfast. The Senate president didn’t pick up when he called after midnight to concede, LaPin said, but he did text a thank-you. The breakfast plans haven’t yet been made.
But it was clear LaPin was wrestling with the campaign’s finality, the possibility of becoming a footnote on Ballotpedia.
“How can I go back to just being a boat f---ing captain when I’m giving people so much hope?”
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