Councilman Nick Mosby Expected To Announce Bid For Mayor

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Could a new entry in the Baltimore mayor's race signal the era of a power couple? Councilman Nick Mosby, husband of the city state's attorney, is expected to announce Sunday that he is entering the race for Baltimore City mayor.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the impact this growing field of candidates could have on voters.

His entry would make the race even more competitive than it already is.

Councilman Nick Mosby sent an email Tuesday that sounds a lot like he's running for mayor. Mosby is married to City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who is prosecuting police officers in the Freddie Gray case.

The riots triggered by Gray's death are widely believed to have influenced Mayor Rawlings-Blake's decision not to run for re-election, and in a post-riot related event Tuesday, there was Mosby beside her.

"At the end of the day, we know that folks are very disappointed at where the city is headed," said Mosby.

Mosby told WJZ in August it was way too soon to talk about a campaign, although he worked the room like a candidate and made no bones about his goals...

"Since I was eight-years-old, I wanted to be the mayor of Baltimore," he said.

An ambition shared by others. State Senator Catherine Pugh stepped up during the riots and shortly after declared her candidacy in a race that will have no incumbent--but former mayor Sheila Dixon is running. Councilman Carl Stokes has also announced his campaign.

"Unfortunately, people talk about the race like we're talking about will the Ravens win next week," said Mosby.

Question being: who can score with the voters?

The 2011 primary barely registered with city voters. Out of 325,000 voters, 77,000--or 23.7 percent--cast ballots. Assuming the same level of interest this election, with at least six candidates in the race, Baltimore's mayor could be elected by fewer than 15,000 votes, which gives meaning to the phrase every vote counts.

Even with low voter turnout in 2011, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake won with 49 percent of the vote--so maybe her absence in this election will level the playing field.

The fact that this is a presidential election year could also influence voter turnout. The primary is April 26.