Sheila Dixon Launches Bid For Baltimore City Mayor Race

BALTIMORE (WJZ) – Former mayor Sheila Dixon was surrounded by hundreds of supporters as she officially launched her bid to become Baltimore City's next mayor.

"When we talk about who's going to be the next mayor of Baltimore, what we're really talking about is who is going to be able to lead this city and take on our tough challenges in a way that respects and engages the community to get things done for our city," said Dixon.

Her public bid announcement came just days after incumbent Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced that she won't be seeking re-election in 2016.

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"Change doesn't come from government, we can't just rely on City Hall to solve our problems – change comes from us," said Dixon. "I'm running for mayor to put ideas into action. I love this city, and I believe in making a cleaner, greener, healthier and safer Baltimore for all our residents."

Dixon was on the Baltimore City Council in 1987 before she got elected City Council president in 1999. She later went on to be the mayor of Baltimore in 2007.  In January 2010, she was forced to leave officer after a misdemeanor conviction for using gift cards intended for the needy, which is when Rawlings-Blake took over.

Dixon is a mother of two and a resident of West Baltimore. She announced her run for mayor earlier this summer in a Facebook post, and today's event marked the official launch of her campaign.