Bulwark Takes Meet the Most Hated Democrat in America (w/ Bill Ferguson)
Nov 21, 2025
Bill Ferguson, President of the Maryland State Senate, has become a controversial figure after refusing to redraw the state’s congressional map. In a candid conversation, he explains the legal and political pitfalls of mid-cycle redistricting stemming from a significant 2021 court ruling. Ferguson argues that pushing for a more favorable map could lead to worse outcomes in court. He emphasizes the need for Democrats to focus on messaging and policy rather than risky redistricting strategies, offering insights into public opinion and the electoral landscape.
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Maryland's Legal Risk Makes 8–0 Unlikely
- Bill Ferguson warns that Maryland's legal history makes an 8-0 map unlikely and risky.
- He argues pursuing it could prompt courts to redraw maps and cost Democrats seats instead of gaining them.
2021 Map Was Thrown Out By A Judge
- Ferguson recounts Maryland's 2021 redistricting experience where a judge threw out the map for extreme partisan gerrymandering.
- That court decision introduced a new state-constitution standard that now shapes current risk calculations.
Court Remedies Could Backfire On Democrats
- Ferguson explains courts have multiple remedies, including imposing their own map or ordering the legislature to redraw under a new standard.
- He warns that either outcome could produce a 6-2 or 5-3 map aligned with partisan registration, harming Democrats.