Race For Baltimore Mayor In Spotlight After Dixon Declares Candidacy
BALTIMORE(WJZ) -- Baltimore's 2016 election is suddenly getting attention, as former mayor Sheila Dixon declares herself a candidate, running against incumbent Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in the Democratic primary race for mayor.
Political reporter Pat Warren talked with Dixon about her reasons for running.
Sheila Dixon says she believes she can make the city cleaner, greener, healthier and safer with leadership that brings people together.
Former mayor Sheila Dixon tells WJZ she made some bad choices in her prior term in office, which led to a misdemeanor conviction for using gift cards intended for the needy. Now she's looking to undo the damage.
"I'm stepping out and running for mayor--one--cause I'm asking the citizens to forgive me. We have hard working, loving people in this community and I believe that we, not me, but we--citizens and myself--can really move forward with the city," said Dixon.
"We got the budget under control. We fixed the pension system. We have the highest bond rating the city has had in over 50 years," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Mayor Rawlings-Blake took office after Dixon resigned. WJZ caught up with her at a neighborhood cleanup Thursday morning--one of her administration's priorities.
"I'm very excited about the progress we've been able to make and I'm looking forward to being able to talk about that during the campaign season," she said.
Former mayor Dixon has her own strategy:
"I'm taking the time this summer to sit down and meet with communities all over the city to hear and listen to them, to their concerns and have them engage and helping us to develop the plan and the platform for the city," she said.
Dixon and Rawlings-Blake will face each other in the Democratic primary April 26.
By sheer force of numbers of Democrats in the city, it's the winner of the Democratic primary is presumed to win the office.
Dixon says she will have an official campaign event around Labor Day.
