Watch CBS News

Representative Elijah Cummings Endorses Catherine Pugh For Mayor

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Congressman Elijah Cummings threw his political weight into Baltimore's mayoral primary Tuesday, endorsing Catherine Pugh. But will it be enough to widen her narrow lead in the heated race for mayor?

Alex DeMetrick has details of the endorsement's possible impact.

Congressman Cummings' endorsement carries with it his political clout in Baltimore.

"It gives me great honor to introduce to you the next mayor of the great state of Baltimore, Catherine Pugh," Cummings said on Tuesday.

Cummings' endorsement of Pugh comes as she has expanded her lead to 31% in a Baltimore Sun poll, while Sheila Dixon sits unchanged at 25%---a front-runner campaign that's ramped up in advertising.

"Here's the thing about Baltimore---when you get knocked down, someone is there to help you back up. This is a city of second chances," a Dixon ad said.

"That gets our city working, growing and building as we move forward together," a Pugh ad said.

But just how much difference will Cummings' endorsement make in this election?

"Oh, I think it's huge. I think it's absolutely huge," said Donald Norris.

Norris directs UMBC's School Of Public Policy.

"He's one of the most well-respected and well-regarded elected officials in the state. He represents Baltimore City. He's African-American and all of these things are very, very important in this mayor's race," Norris said.

Maybe most important to the 15% of city voters who said they were undecided in the last Sun poll.

"I think Pugh will probably pick up most of that and she may even pick up the votes from some of the other candidates now that she's been endorsed by Cummings," Norris said.

While the endorsement is welcome, Pugh says she's not taking the election for granted.

"Grateful, excited," she said. "But we'll keep running like we're 10 points behind."

Pugh says that means she will continue knocking on doors and campaigning right up until Election Day.

The primary election is exactly two weeks away, April 26.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.