BALTIMORE (AP) — With several Democratic challengers helping to split the electorate, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is expected to coast to victory in next week’s primary election.

Since ascending to office last year as Sheila Dixon resigned amid scandal, observers say Rawlings-Blake, who won the endorsement of The Baltimore Sun on Friday, has outperformed expectations through crises ranging from blizzards to record budget gaps.

Her opponents in Tuesday’s primary include former city planning director and Dixon chief of staff Otis Rolley, state Sen. Catherine Pugh, former Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors Vice President and Councilman Joseph T. “Jody” Landers III. Vicki Ann Harding and Alfred V. Griffin III will face off in the Republican primary.

The primary winners will compete in the Nov. 8 general election.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)