Mayoral Candidates Recap

By cammy s. ‘21

The Background: 2020 could not be marked by more political buzz -- not only are we in the midst of our next Presidential election, but we are also approaching the election of our next Mayor of Baltimore. While it is easy to focus solely on the coverage of our nationwide future, it is important to remember our role within the Baltimore community as well. After the resignation of former mayor Catherine Pugh, Mayor Jack Young (D) assumed office on May 2, 2019, and is running this year for reelection. A new poll conducted in March by The Baltimore Sun, the University of Baltimore, and WYPR gives us the most current information on voters’ opinions on the candidates.  While there are some Republican candidates for mayor, the poll revealed that all of the leading candidates are Democrats. With the Democratic and Republican mayoral primaries approaching on April 28th, and the election for mayor taking place on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020, here is a brief synopsis of the top five leading candidates and their platforms:

The Top Five Leading Candidates:  

Sheila Dixon (D): The current frontrunner in the polls, Sheila Dixon, amassed 16% of the voters’ support. Dixon is the former Mayor of Baltimore, in office from 2007 to 2010, and former President of the Baltimore City Council.  During her time in office, she implemented a plan to combat crime that produced low homicide and crime rates. However, Dixon was tried for embezzlement, felony theft, and misconduct in office. During her term, she was accused of personally spending $630 worth of gift cards intended to be donated to the city’s poor. She was ultimately found guilty of the embezzlement charge. Dixon’s platform now rests upon a comprehensive educational plan consisting of longer district school days and an increase in adult developmental programs, along with a continuation of her past crime reducing legislation.

Brandon M. Scott (D): Coming in second place with 10% of the respondents’ support, City Council President Brandon M. Scott seeks to restore Baltimore’s trust in city government through the creation of a City Administrator position for Baltimore. This new politically-neutral role would focus on maintaining city operations with complete non-partisanship. Scott also seeks to fight crime by addressing violence as a public health crisis and supporting the youth and young adults. Additionally, Scott wants to provide more funding to public schools.

Thiru Vignarajah (D): With 10% of the voters’ support is former prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah, who is committed to dropping the annual homicide count to below 200. If this goal is not reached, he will not seek reelection. In 2019, Baltimore’s homicide count was 338, and in 2018, 309. Vignarajah received much criticism over an issue at a traffic stop, when he was pulled over for failing to turn on his headlights at night. Vignarajah was scrutinized for asking the officer to turn off his body-camera, to which the officer obliged, eliminating any certainty of what happened next. 

T.J. Smith (D): Baltimore Police Department spokesman T.J. Smith has 9% of the respondents’ support.  Smith is fighting for a crime reduction plan consisting of strengthening officer recruitment and retention and disrupting the flow of guns into Baltimore. He also works to establish Trauma Go-Teams, a program focusing on the wellbeing of those impacted by violence within Baltimore City. Additionally, Smith seeks to improve government accountability, with the creation of City Administrative Officer and Chief Ethics Officer positions.  Lastly, Smith developed a “Squeegee Solution” to provide the children of Baltimore City increased access to resources such as Workforce Development and Social Services.

Mary L. Washington (D):  With 7% of the respondents’ vote is State Senator Mary L. Washington. With her Public Safety proposal, Washinton intends to modernize policy practices, increase accountability for gun violence and street crime, and encourage the U.S. Justice Department Consent Decree to improve their policing practices. She also seeks to help ex-offenders find jobs and build stable and healthy lives, enhance recreation centers, and reevaluate property taxes in Baltimore.

Whether you’re of age to vote or not, we all can become engaged in the election.  You only have to be sixteen years old to register to vote, and you can vote in Maryland state primaries at age seventeen! If you are not of age yet, educate yourself on the candidates and their positions, and encourage those around you to participate. No matter your political beliefs, engagement is crucial in this election because we can greatly impact the future of our city through our vote.