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Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Announces She's Seeking A Second Term

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The biggest political contest in Baltimore just got a lot hotter with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake making her intention to keep her job official.  Mike Hellgren has more.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake wants to keep her job and, with no gaffes and a big edge on fundraising, analysts consider the race hers to lose.

"Individuals are much more likely to give money to someone based on who supports them," said Johns Hopkins University political scientist Lester Spance.

Almost every top Maryland Democrat has endorsed her, but that's not silencing challengers for the Democratic nomination, many of whom have experience on the City Council.

"I think it's going to be an interesting next two months," said Councilman Carl Stokes, who's also a mayoral candidate.

"My sense is when I go around the city, there's a lot of discontent," said mayoral candidate Jody Landers.

Many have hit Rawlings-Blake on the deep cuts she's made to the budget, including youth programs, and a property tax rate that's almost double everywhere else in the state.

"She has continued to have these endorsements where she's standing on the shoulders of others.  I intend to be standing with the citizens of Baltimore," said mayoral candidate Otis Rolley.

"There is no incumbent mayor-elect.  There is someone who holds the seat who got appointed to the position," said State Delegate and mayoral candidate Catherine Pugh.

Rawlings-Blake took over after Sheila Dixon left office in disgrace.  She says she's worked hard to make a leaner, more transparent City Hall.

"It wasn't touchy-feely that was going to get us through.  It was making tough decisions that were smart," Rawlings-Blake said.

The deadline to file is July 5, so the race could get even more crowded.

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