Former Bl*ckface Performer Running For Maryland House Seat – Defends Past As “Misunderstood”

Former Bl*ckface Performer Running For Maryland House Seat – Defends Past As “Misunderstood”

A man who spent years performing in blackface is now running for public office — and he’s defending his past as “misunderstood.”
The Baltimore County candidate, identified as Bobby “Al Jolson” Berger, has entered the race for a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates, immediately drawing attention over his history as a blackface performer.

According to reporting, Berger portrayed 1920s entertainer Al Jolson in blackface for decades before stopping in 2016 amid backlash. He has maintained that his performances were not racist, arguing that critics misunderstood his intent.

Berger’s past has sparked controversy before. A planned 2015 fundraiser tied to police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray was canceled after backlash over his involvement, with critics calling it “racist and in poor taste.”

His history also impacted his career — Berger was previously fired from the Baltimore Police Department over his performances but later won his job back through legal action.

Now running as a Republican in District 6, Berger says his campaign is focused on helping people and addressing community concerns, marking his first attempt at elected office.

Still, his candidacy is already raising questions about how voters will weigh his past against his campaign message — especially in a district with a significant Black population and a political climate where issues of race remain front and center.