Mayoral Candidates Getting Out The Message In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Another face in the TV race. City Councilman Carl Stokes breaks out a campaign ad that is sure to get attention, but can it get him votes?

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on how media is key in this year's campaign strategy.

In this crowded field of candidates, the pressure is mounting to get out the message--and local media is a critical element.

The messages are out, but what do you hear? Mayoral candidates David Warnock and Catherine Pugh appeal to a gentle nature. Carl Stokes lands a punch in the gut.

Regardless of approach, the race for mayor is becoming more and more a televised campaign.

"I don't think people have been paying attention. Maybe they'll start paying attention now. They're going to be bombarded by ads and by flyers," said Don Norris, political analyst.

It's a two-fold strategy.

"TV lets folks see all across the city who you are and what you are and a little bit of your message," said Stokes.

It's helped propel Catherine Pugh two points ahead of former frontrunner Sheila Dixon.

"She and Davis Warnock have spent a lot of money in the media," said Dixon.

"We're going to be engaging people, continuing to engage people, continuing to be on television, radio, whatever it takes to win this election," said Pugh.

If there's any proof of the power of TV, it's David Warnock, who is now polling third.

"We've now been able to frame the election in a clear way about the distinction between the political status quo and somebody who has done things when the cameras weren't running," said Warnock.

Those cameras will continue to deliver the campaign to Baltimore living rooms. Still, it's more than just that.

"It's more than that, it's the candidates themselves," said Norris.

And with more than a dozen people in the race for mayor, they have their work cut out for them.

The primary election is April 26.