Why did Baltimore mayor suddenly withdraw from reelection campaign?
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Corey Fedde Staff
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced on Friday that she won鈥檛 seek re-election.
Ms. Rawlings-Blake briefed her staff on her decision this morning, . She faced myriad obstacles in her potential run for office, including harsh criticism for the handling of riots prompted by the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died from a spinal cord injury while in police custody. The mayor maintains that she is abandoning her re-election campaign to focus on the city.聽
鈥淚t was a very difficult decision, but I knew I needed to spend time, the remaining 15 months of my term, focused on the city鈥檚 future and not my own,鈥� she said at a conference in City Hall.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for the city of Baltimore.
The day before Rawlings-Blake鈥檚 announcement, a judge announced that the six police offers charged in connection with Mr. Gray's death will be facing trial in Baltimore. The city also this week agreed to a $6.4 million settlement with the Gray family.
The city's response to the riots that followed the Grays death in April prompted wide criticism of Rawlings-Blake.聽Criticism over her delay in asking Maryland鈥檚 governor, Larry Hogan to call in the National Guard has become fuel for other candidates in the upcoming mayor election.
The election is becoming increasingly cramped for Democratic candidates. Many are lining up for a chance to replace Rawlings-Blake. Two of her main opponents may include former mayor Sheila Dixon, who was forced out by a corruption scandal, and City Councilman Nick Mosby, husband of the state鈥檚 attorney who is prosecuting the officers charged in relation to Gray鈥檚 death.
Nick Mosby has not declared his candidacy yet, but is strongly considering it. 鈥淚 think the city is in a place where folks want new direction, they鈥檙e not comfortable with the current administration, they want change,鈥� .
Rawlings-Blake plans to spend her remaining 15 months as mayor pushing her plans to build more recreation centers in the city and other community building initiatives.
This report includes material from the Associated Press.
