BALTIMORE — Former Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon lost the Democratic nomination for mayor to three-term state Sen. Catherine Pugh Tuesday, but she says she’s “not through yet.”
Dixon came in second among 11 candidates in Tuesday’s primary. Incumbent Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake did not seek another term in office.
Dixon announced her bid for mayor in July, shortly after the death of Freddie Gray inspired protests and rioting in the streets of Baltimore. She was elected mayor in 2007 but resigned in 2010 after she was convicted of embezzlement stemming from her use of gift cards meant for underprivileged children.
In her speech, Dixon told supporters that “it’s time for us to open up a new chapter in this city.” She also stressed the need to “continue to build on what this campaign stood for: love of the people of this city.”
Pugh, a three-term state senator who also runs a public relations firm, spoke to her supporters at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel downtown, flanked by elected officials including Rep. Elijah Cummings and state Del. Jill Carter.
She says her victory “begins what I consider a milestone, but more importantly, a direction for our city.” She is widely expected to win the general election in this Democratic stronghold.
“Everything I’ve done has prepared me for this moment, to lead this city in the direction it should go,” Pugh said.
The 65-year-old lawmaker has also served on the Baltimore City Council for five years before she was appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates.
She secured numerous endorsements in the months and weeks leading up to the primary. That included an endorsement from Councilman Nick Mosby, who waged an unsuccessful campaign for mayor that ended the day before early voting began April 14.
Voters in Baltimore also selected candidates for city council.
Choose “select office” to find a specific Baltimore city race from the drop down menu.
Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
