Mayoral Primary Candidates Work To Get Out Vote

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Tuesday, Baltimore voters will be choosing the candidate most likely to become mayor. It's the city's primary Election Day.

Political reporter Pat Warren spoke with several of the candidates on their last full campaign day.

With no serious challenge from the Republican party, the Democrats are the center of attention.

For a link to your nearest polling location, and other resources, click here.

The candidates are gearing up for a primary Election Day that practically guarantees the winner will become mayor-elect in November. But Baltimore's loyal Democrats can be fair weather fans when it comes to actually making a trip to the polls. The message from candidates is that every vote counts and the race is not over.

"When the media presents comments that the election is basically over and that counting the votes is just a formality, they are doing the public a disservice," said Jody Landers.

Landers trailed in the Baltimore Sun poll with five percent of the vote, tied with Frank Conaway, who seemed to disappear from the campaign trail Monday.

The apparent front-runner, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, walked through Lexington Market Monday morning with Senator Barbara Mukulski.

Otis Rolley, also at Lexington Market, echoed the need for voters to step up.

"The mayor was praying for rain and praying for suppression and that's not going to happen. People are going to come out and they're going to vote and they're going to vote for change," Rolley said.

"People keep saying low voter turnout is to the benefit of the incumbent and I always say I never want to benefit from low voter turnout," Rawlings-Blake said.

Senator Catherine Pugh has a rally Monday night.

"Let me just tell you, we have gone after our voters. We know who our voters are. We've been on the streets every day, on the phones every day, talking to people every chance we get. This city needs somebody with some energy," Pugh said.

"So regardless of who you support, come out, say what's on your mind by voting," said Senator Barbara Mikulski.

The primary is Tuesday.