Nick Mosby For Mayor Announcement Raising Some Questions

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Councilman Nicky Mosby, husband of City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby, enters the race for Baltimore City mayor. The announcement Sunday is already raising some questions about a possible conflict of interest.

Political reporter Pat Warren looks at the possible impact of Mosby's campaign on the race for mayor.

Nick Mosby enters a race that is becoming increasingly crowded. The fact that he is married to the city state's attorney could actually help his popularity.

Nick Mosby is in.

"I am truly humbled, I am truly thankful and I am truly blessed to be standing here today in front of you, announcing my candidacy for the mayor of the city of Baltimore," Councilman Nick Mosby said Sunday.

First-time councilman, Nicky Mosby has been making a name for himself in city government, while his wife, Marilyn Mosby, has been making headlines as the city state's attorney.

"Certainly, if his wife is popular and people like his wife, then that could benefit him considerably," said Don Norris, director, UMBC School of Public Policy.

The couple is raising their daughters in a troubled neighborhood in Reservoir Hill.

"This community should be a healthy neighborhood, and me and Marilyn, we didn't listen to our friends, we didn't listen to our families, we put that stake in the ground and we live there today," said Mosby.

It's the couple's stake in city government that's getting the attention now--with questions of whether a Mosby mayor and a Mosby state's attorney might be too close for comfort.

Warren: "Is there a potential for this to get messy?"

Norris: "Well, there's a huge conflict of interest, which apparently neither party either acknowledges or is willing to accept as a conflict of interest."

Warren: "But does that matter to the voters?"

Norris: "It should."

Warren: "But will it?"

Norris: "We'll see when we see the election results, won't we?"

On the other hand, there's no restriction on couples holding office and doesn't make Mosby unsuitable for the mayor's race.

The immediate hurdle he faces is the field of opposition--former Mayor Sheila Dixon and State Senator Catherine Pugh among them.

"It's hard to know which way the voters will go, whether it's a fresh face without proven experience or go back to somebody you know with other kinds of challenges," said Dan Nataf, AACC Center for Study of Local Issues.

There are others who are also considering a run for mayor.

In addition to council members Carl Stokes and Nick Mosby, Councilman Brandon Scott is also considering a run for mayor.

The filing deadline for the mayor's race is February 3.