Faith in Action

Election time has become an exciting time for me.  I like the energy and the possibility for positive change for our city.  As soon as O’Malley won the governor’s race, discussions started becoming public about the race for mayor of Baltimore City.

So far, we have a number of people who have declared their candidacy.  I’ll list them (in no particular order) and give a pro & challenge that they’ll have to address if they are to be successful.  As we draw closer to the election, I hope to interview each of them on BrothaSpeak.  Feel free to leave any questions that you have for them here and I’ll put it to them when the cameras roll.

City Council President/ Mayer-designee Sheila Dixon

Pro: Next week she will be sworn in as mayor of the city and definitely has the power of incumbency.  She has money in the bank and good relationships with the power brokers of the city.  (Greater Baltimore Committee, Baltimore Development Corp., etc.)

Challenge: Her words and political appointments show that she will continue O’Malley’s legacy here in Baltimore.  That may be problematic for those who disliked O’Malley because of his failure to come through on his campaign promise to reduce the homicide rate in Baltimore and fix the public school system.  Community and grassroots leaders may question if Dixon will develop her own voice and independence from the governor.

City Comptroller Joan Pratt

Pro: Ms. Pratt also enjoys the power of the incumbency.  Given the voting trends of Baltimore voters, folks may just give her their vote because they recognize the name.

Challenge: Given the complex challenges that this city has faced for the past many years, it’s surprising that Ms. Pratt hasn’t been more vocal on the city’s issues.  She also struggled with some ethical issues a few years back.  Ironically, the person who was at the center of her controversy - a successful political campaign technician - is her campaign manager.  Reports indicate that he’s been trying to get her to run for mayor for at least a decade. 

Delegate Jill Carter

Pro: Jill is a fearless leader and advocate - probably more activist than politician, but that’s a refreshing change for Baltimoreans who are tired of status quo politics.  Jill will challenge anyone if she thinks Baltimoreans are being done wrong - even if that means taking on O’Malley.  As the leading vote getter in all of Baltimore in the last election, her standing with the people is her greatest strength. (Having a father who was a cherished community activist in Baltimore doesn’t hurt her either)

Challenge: Jill’s challenge will be raising money for her campaign and showing those who don’t know her that she is a consensus builder.  While being a fireball may be attractive to community leaders, grassroots people, and those who are marginalized; it may be scary to business leaders and other legislators who are entrenched in the status quo political process.  I sense that her greatest opposition will come from her colleagues who are concerned that she’ll rock the boat. 

Dr. Andrey Bundley

Pro: Dr. Bundley is similar to Delegate Carter in that he has strong grassroots support.  He is a son of Baltimore in the fullest sense of the word and is well connected on the ground.  As a former Baltimore City principal (a very celebrated one) he brings credible passion for education that may be attractive to those hungry for change in our deplorable system.

Challenge: Dr. Bundley is much like Delegate Carter concerning having a strong grassroots connection.  Carter and Bundley will probably be drawing from the same well for support and being that Bundley has never been elected, he’ll have to show would-be supporters that their vote is better with him.  He and Carter may end up giving each other fatal blows in the end a la Baltimore City Mayoral Race 1999.  (Two viable African American candidates split the Black vote and allowed an ambitious white lawyer to win the mayor’s seat in a majority Black town.) 

City Councilman Keiffer Mitchell

Pro: Mitchell comes from a well connected, well known political family in Baltimore.  Read up on all his connections elsewhere, but take my word for it - he was raised in a family considered in some circles to be the Black Kennedy’s of Baltimore.  He has legislative experience and its expected that he has a good grasp of the challenges facing Baltimore. 

Challenges: Anyone on the Baltimore City Council is bound to receive criticism from some quarters in the city with the allegation of being a rubber-stamp for now Governor/then Mayor Martin O’Malley.  Mitchell will have to show that he has a strong back and is willing to take positions that may be unpopular with the elitist leaders of the city. 

FINAL ANALYSIS:

The next Baltimore City Mayoral Election will be a critical one.  The city is struggling with the perennial issues of open air drug markets, youth violence and gangs, a failing school system, homelessness, community degradation, etc.  At the same time developers are moving into Baltimore fast.  Significant portions of East Baltimore have been given away to Johns Hopkins and cranes are up all over the city.  The problem for many African American families is that they are being relocated away from the new and exciting development or offered peanuts when in on the action.

Voters will have to dedicate themselves to study each candidate and get involved in the political process like never before.  The time to start researching is now - before all the warm and cuddly commercials hit the TV.  We can’t be fooled this time around by great personalities.  Electoral politics shouldn’t be about personality first - it should be about competence and past track record and how that might possibly translate into future activity.  The saying goes: “If someone shows you who they are, believe them!”  All of these candidates have examinable histories that provide insight on what type of mayor they will be.  Don’t give so much weight to their words now.  Flowery words during campaign season don’t mean a thing.  Examine what they have done.  Google them.  Call them.  Invite them to speak in your living room and make them earn your vote.  In the end, vote for someone who you feel will represent you and the larger common good of the community.  This boat called Baltimore is sinking - we need a leader who has the guts to mobilize the masses to start plugging all the holes.  Say it with me - “No more status quo political leadership in Baltimore!”