By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
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After weeks and days of anticipation, the results are in. Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) is the projected winner of the Baltimore City mayoral race.
“Our victory tonight means that the work has just begun,” said Scott as he addressed the crowd of his supporters at his watch party in South Baltimore on May 14. “Winning is not just a triumph, but a challenge to go further, to be better and do more for Baltimore. The results tonight show that Baltimore’s choice is to keep moving forward.”
The Maryland State Board of Elections (MSBE) reported that all precincts in Baltimore City had reported by 1 a.m. on May 15, meaning most of the votes are in. The provisional ballot votes still need to be counted.
As of 5 a.m. on May 15, Scott received 50.96 percent of the votes, former Mayor Sheila Dixon received 41.29 percent and Businessman Bob Wallace received 3.15 percent.
“I want to extend my thanks to former Mayor Dixon for her passion for this city, for her years of service and for her commitment to our residents and for a very, very hard-fought race. But now it’s time to turn the page,” said Scott, invoking cheers from supporters and chants of “four more years.”
Early in the night, the race results showed Dixon ahead of Scott via mail-in ballots and early voting, but that lead was brief. After Election Day votes began to come in, the votes flipped for Scott, slowly but surely increasing his lead as the night went on.
Hours before the announcement, Scott’s supporters gathered at his watch party in South Baltimore, with hope and vibrancy ringing through the crowd. As the night went on, the crowd grew, and so did the joy as the results showed up in favor of Scott.
“This really means a lot to me,” said Baltimore City Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton (D-District 6). “Brandon Scott is my fifth mayor. I have had a new mayor every single term and now I found someone that I can relate to.”
Middleton highlighted that Scott understands Park Heights and is supportive of the area.
“We all know the trials and tribulations of Park Heights,” said Middleton. “We finally have a mayor that understands what’s going on in that community.”
Scott designated Park Heights as the ninth Baltimore Main Street district this week. The Baltimore Main Streets program aims to revitalize community economies and support businesses in the neighborhood. Under Scott’s administration, a new Enoch Pratt Free Library and hundreds of affordable rental and senior units are in the works in Park Heights.
“I think Mayor Brandon Scott is an amazing mayor,” said Shardey Jones, a supporter of Scott, at the watch party earlier in the night. “I’ve watched his story from start to finish and I’ve had the pleasure of doing work with him in the community back when I first moved to Baltimore back in 2015. It’s a pleasure to see someone who is so committed to the cause, committed to the community, be elected mayor and to shine.”
Uncertainty was caused during the mayoral race concerning the votes already cast for former candidate Thiruvdeven “Thiru” Vignarajah, who ended his race suddenly on May 1 and immediately backed Dixon for mayor through mail-in ballot.
The MSBE issued a statement on the matter.
“Under Maryland law, a voter may only cast one ballot. Once a voter fills in a mail-in ballot, seals it in an envelope, signs the envelope, and returns it by mailing it, delivering it in person to a local board, or putting it in a ballot drop box, then the ballot is cast,” said MSBE. “Once the ballot is cast, regardless of whether the candidate remains in the race or withdraws, the voter may not request another ballot to replace the cast ballot or vote in person during early voting or Election Day to replace the cast ballot.”
“A candidate announcing a withdrawal from a race does not invalidate or affect any of the votes recorded on a cast ballot and all votes will be recorded and tabulated as they were voted,” continued the MSBE. “If a voter has marked a mail-in ballot but has not mailed it or if they have misplaced their mail-in ballot, they may request a new mail-in ballot online.”
In an April Goucher Poll asking surveyors who they’d vote for if the election were today, 40 percent chose Scott, 32 percent chose Dixon and three percent chose Wallace. Fifty-nine percent of surveyors said they were set on their choice for mayor, 37 percent said they could change their mind and four percent said they were unsure. The AFRO endorsed Scott in the mayoral race ahead of the primary election.
As primary results finalize, winning primary candidates will prepare for the Nov. 5 general election, in which they will face opposing political party candidates for the position.
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
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