Campaign 2020

Baltimore Brew coverage of Maryland's 2020 primary, originally scheduled for April 28 but pushed back now to June 2 as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. State election officials are recommending no in-person voting - advising citizens to mail-in or drop-off their ballots. However it's conducted, The Brew will be there to cover it.

Delay in election judges’ checks blamed on U.S. Postal Service

Many Baltimore election workers still haven’t been paid after working on Election Day in November.

Joy in Baltimore as Joe Biden wins the presidency

Celebration in the city where the Biden-Harris ticket won 87% of the vote is low keyed and personal.

Solid Stokes victory ends Muller Paz’ spirited Green Party challenge

The young teacher activist raised the hopes of city progressives, but the entrenched 12th District Democrat turned out more votes.

Brandon Scott is the next mayor of Baltimore

Independent Bob Wallace concedes tonight after partial results have him far behind Scott.

Will two 2016 Trump voters in Baltimore go for The Donald again?

We tracked down a Canton couple who told us four years ago they had impulsively cast a “protest vote” for Trump.

Planned tomorrow in Baltimore – at least three pro-democracy demonstrations

With a jittery electorate wondering whether the president will accept the results of today’s election, Baltimore activists are ready to protest – or celebrate – on Wednesday.

Breaking from his party, Zeke Cohen endorses Franca Muller Paz

The southeast councilman has pushed for digital equity alongside the Green Party candidate during the pandemic.

Robert Stokes is confident his base will see him through

The incumbent is counting on his core constituency to beat back the excitement generated by the Green Party’s Franca Muller Paz.

What you need to know as early voting begins

Not to worry if you missed the online voter registration deadline. Maryland lets you register in person.

A voter’s guide to this high-anxiety election

Key dates plus maps of drop-boxes and in-person voting centers. The registration deadline for voting online is October 13 – tomorrow!

A guide to municipal bonds and charter amendments on the ballot

A rundown of proposals before voters, including several that would chip away at Baltimore’s “strong mayor” system, giving the City Council more clout.

Bob Wallace believes “stealth energy” can carry him to City Hall

The independent candidate for mayor is working to increase his name recognition with TV ads and old-fashioned canvassing.

Muller Paz campaign event postponed after Eastside shooting

Violence occurs near where a Green Party “stoop concert” and town hall event was planned in Baltimore’s 12th District.

Eastside Council nominee has paid nearly $7,000 in late campaign fines

August 25 marked the 25th time that serial candidate Antonio Glover has missed a state filing deadline.

Robert Stokes latest campaign fundraising haul: $0.00

In the only competitive Council race in Baltimore, the Green Party’s Franca Muller Paz has far outraised and outspent the incumbent.

Green Party candidates will appear on Maryland ballots in November

Voters in Baltimore’s 12th District will now have a choice between incumbent Councilman Robert Stokes and teacher Franca Muller Paz.

Baltimore’s Republican mayoral nominee makes exaggerated claims

NOTE: Shannon Wright is running again for Baltimore mayor in the 2024 election. Here is a 2020 story about her claims to be a civil rights activist.

A fresh face from the Green Party challenges Robert Stokes in the 12th District

Can Franca Muller Paz do something unheard of in Baltimore in decades: Win a City Council seat as a non-Democrat?

Late deciders propelled Scott to mayoral primary win, data show

Baltimore’s primary drew a high turnout and some interesting results.

Sheila Dixon concedes, says she’s “at peace” with primary loss

After failing in her second bid to reprise her role as mayor, she lauds Democratic nominee Brandon Scott, “a young man I have watched grow in public service.”

Happening today: Your chance to vent to the State Board of Elections

Deputy administrator Nikki Charlson will be featured at a “virtual debrief” about the just concluded 2020 primary.

Brandon Scott rides a late surge to a win over Dixon

A child of Park Heights, Scott scores a primary victory along with other new leaders promising equity and change.

Breaking for Brandon: Scott’s lead over Dixon grows

Most of the ballots left to count are from the 1st District, where Scott is expected to perform well. UPDATED.

Henry’s lead over Pratt widens; Westry gains on Stokes in the 12th

Mosby’s lead in the City Council President’s race remains strong.

Brandon Scott pulls ahead in Baltimore mayoral race

Undecided voters who turned to Scott at the last minute helped pull the City Council president ahead. There are still over 15,000 votes yet to be counted.

Returns trickling in show Dixon’s lead holding, but Scott gaining

“There’s only so many ballots you can scan – it takes time,” Baltimore elections director Armstead Jones says, as his staff continues the count.

After re-doing bungled 1st District ballots, Baltimore will begin counting votes

City elections director Armstead Jones says he warned state officials about the 1st District ballot typo back in February.

Incumbents are comfortably ahead in City Council races

Four years ago, Baltimore’s City Council saw upstarts and surprises. This year not so much, judging by the early primary results.

“In gratitude,” Sheila Dixon writes to her supporters

Ex-mayor pledges to bring “values and principles” back to City Hall.

“I was asleep” when the vote results were pulled, Baltimore’s elections chief says

Armstead Jones defends his handling of the 2020 primary, as critics call for the state elections administrator to resign.

After disappearing, preliminary vote counts return in Baltimore City election

State Board of Elections posts mail-in results showing Sheila Dixon ahead in the mayor’s race – and admits mistake in 1st District vote count.

Some voters waiting on line are still unsure or split on candidates

Ambivalence about a former Baltimore mayor who seeks that office again.

They got their ballots, but the ballots were wrong

Expecting to vote for or against Robert Stokes, voters at Remington Row got ballots for a different City Council District.

Why vote in person? Because this mail-in primary does not inspire confidence, some voters say

“People have been telling us they have gotten no ballot or the wrong ballot,” says Westside Councilman Kristerfer Burnett.

A third of primary votes have been cast by first-time or newly-engaged voters

Will unexpectedly high turnout in Baltimore impact today’s primary results?

On the eve of Baltimore’s mayoral primary, many voters appear unsure and unenthusiastic

With tomorrow the last day to vote, many say they are spooked by the memory of their last choice for mayor.

Mayoral candidates react to the Floyd case and Baltimore protests

Hopes, prayers and, from one, a warning to outside agitators: “You didn’t come here after 2015. We don’t want you here now.”

Mayoral candidate Mary Miller didn’t vote in some mayoral primaries

A front-runner in Baltimore’s June 2 Democratic Party primary, Miller defends her voting history. UPDATED.

Voters decry delay in getting additional dropboxes in place

“Address your question to State Board of Elections. I have no comment,” said city elections director Armstead B.C. Jones.

How to track Baltimore’s campaign cash flow yourself

A guide to navigating the state and federal websites where politicians’ contributions and expenditures are publicly available.

Political insiders spread the money among Council President candidates

Part 2: What donor contributions tell us about the role of this position in Baltimore government.

The job of City Council President, a path to the mayor’s office, is up for grabs

Part 1: With few ideological differences, the leading candidates for City Council President bring their political alliances and history to the race.

Schleifer, with a $230,000 war chest, faces opponent with just $3,600

A look at the candidates and campaign fundraising in northwest Baltimore’s 5th District.

Four political newcomers seek West Baltimore Council seat

James Torrence leads in fundraising among the Democratic Party candidates, who all have things to say about the district where the Uprising began in 2015.

Keeping a low profile on and off the Council, Danielle McCray faces the voters

She took office last year after Brandon Scott became Council president. Her campaign is backed by powerful friends, which is exactly the problem, says her challenger, Tamira Dunn.

Elections Board will increase number of drop-off ballot locations in city

The delayed ballots have still not arrived in the mail for many registered Baltimore City voters.

Methadone clinic champions City Council candidate

Antonio Glover, who picked up a bundle from Turning Point Clinic, is among the candidates seeking to represent the Eastside’s 13th District.

The Sheila Dixon story: It wasn’t just about the gift cards

Her ethical, moral and legal transgressions weren’t a onetime lapse – they lasted a full decade. [OP-ED]

With no competition in the 11th, Eric Costello builds a political machine

Costello possesses one of the biggest campaign war chests on the City Council. He says he’s using it to support “grassroots, boots-on-the-ground leadership.”

Baltimore’s primary ballots are coming, state elections board says

Originally said to have been mailed May 8, the ballots went out last Thursday and are expected to arrive in city mailboxes this week.

Mary Miller allies funnel another $122,000 to controversial PAC

In addition to more contributions from former T. Rowe Price executives, Jim Smith, the ex-Baltimore County executive and Pugh associate, makes an appearance.

Backers of Vignarajah attack ads were no strangers to candidate Mary Miller

Three former T. Rowe Price colleagues helped bankroll the ads as well as a poll that found that Miller could win if she peeled off enough white votes in Baltimore.

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In 1st District Council race, “I want a complete mandate,” says incumbent Cohen

Despite backing by some big names in development circles, challenger Paris Bienert faces an uphill primary fight against Zeke Cohen.

Phillip Westry outraises and outspends Robert Stokes in the 12th

Westry wins endorsements of progressive groups eager to unseat a close ally of Mayor Jack Young.

Money in the Baltimore mayor’s race: Reminding the candidates where theirs came from

Asked who their top backers are – and why these developers, financiers, contractors and others wrote those big checks – mayoral hopefuls demurred or kept it vague. We’re here with the info.

Promises, rebuttals and a regret: Baltimore mayoral candidates debate

The online joust between the six leading candidates comes as the primary enters its final three weeks.

Ballots for Maryland’s June 2 primary have incorrect date

Instructions included with the ballots advise voters to ignore the incorrect April 28 date printed on them.

Comptroller Joan Pratt faces first strong challenge in her political life

The six-term incumbent has spent next to nothing on running for office in the past. But in recent months, she’s used more than $100,000 to do battle against Councilman Bill Henry.

Vignarajah joins call for preservation of Calloway house

“In the middle of a global pandemic, to try to rush this through was irresponsible,” the mayoral candidate said.

Potential conflict-of-interest votes by Joan Pratt total $48 million, Inspector General finds

Six-term comptroller has long kept a lengthy “abstentions list,” but hasn’t always abstained from voting, OIG report says.

U.S. Labor Department opens investigation of Baltimore comptroller’s office

Joan Pratt’s longtime deputy, Harriette Taylor, opts for retirement in wake of the federal probe.

Mary Washington ends mayoral campaign

The progressive state senator cited the need to serve constituents during the global coronavirus pandemic. Polling showed her support between 5% and 10%.

Joan Pratt has been paying phone bills from her campaign account for at least 15 years

The longtime comptroller has used nearly $28,000 of her campaign funds on phone bills since 2005 – nearly a third of the money her campaign has spent.

Asked if Julius Henson assisted with anti-Bill Henry robocalls and mailers, Pratt refuses to say

The longtime political operative, convicted for his role in the 2010 “relax” robocall, helped launch the comptroller’s political career.

Joan Pratt’s attack on opponent Bill Henry with mailer, robocall draws criticism

Incumbent comptroller points to councilman’s failure to properly document meal expenses 10 years ago. Uses Baltimore Beat photo without permission.

The JFX? Tear it down! Bus service? Make it free!

Baltimore mayoral hopefuls discuss their transportation ideas for the city at a candidates’ forum.

Young says volcanic eruptions are caused by climate change and blows up about whether he has “an ego”

“Anybody that said that I have an ego don’t know me!” the mayor declares at a candidates’ forum on environment and equity.

Exclusive: New poll shows Dixon breaking out of the pack

The voter survey finds definite movements – up and down – among Baltimore’s mayoral hopefuls.

Forum to question the mayor and other candidates on environment and equity

A coalition of environmentalists, churches and community groups seeks this pledge from mayoral hopefuls – the next DPW director will be “green.”

Asked if Pratt should resign, another mayoral candidate says yes

Rikki Vaughn says Baltimore can’t afford electing “the same recycled individuals in office saying they love us, want to hug us, then stabbing us in the back.”

Looking for insight and independence, crowd questions 4th District Council candidates

Vignarajah calls for Pratt to resign and J.P. Grant’s lease to be terminated

Asked to react to money laundering at a clothing shop the Comptroller co-owned with disgraced ex-mayor Pugh, candidates and elected officials give a variety of answers – or none at all.

One City Council candidate is listed as another’s campaign chair

Tim Goldsby quit Mark Conway’s campaign last fall, but his name is still on Conway’s most recent state disclosure.

Man summoned by sheriff after Scott punching incident says he won’t go

Michael Moore says newly-released video supports his version of the incident; Scott says it clearly shows an unprovoked attack by Moore.

Punched by a Dixon campaign volunteer, Brandon Scott files charges

Dixon condemns the volunteer’s actions and says she has severed ties with him.

A workman-like Q&A for 23 candidates for mayor

Education, food deserts, housing and police spending were on the agenda at last night’s mayoral forum. Missing in action: the office’s current occupant.

Dorsey returns $42,000 from drug treatment facility affiliates

Relations between the community and the proposed treatment center will be better “without the spectre of large campaign contributions,” the northeast councilman says.

How Kweisi Mfume steamrolled the opposition

Former congressman wins 43% of the vote in the special 7th District Democratic primary. Jill Carter supporters in shock.

A road map to who’s running in Tuesday’s 7th District congressional race

32 people are vying for the seat held by Baltimore’s late Elijah Cummings. Here’s a rundown of the top contenders and issues.

A spirited race in the diverse 14th District as candidates vie for Clarke’s seat

Odette Ramos and Joe Kane bring differing approaches in how to represent an area whose race and income disparities mirror those of Baltimore.

Company planning drug treatment facility gave Ryan Dorsey $42,000

Residents say they should have been told about the facility. Despite company officials’ contributions, 3rd District councilman says, “I promised them nothing.”

Tough questions few and fleeting at 7th Congressional District debate

Baltimore event gives Mfume, Rockeymoore Cummings and other candidates a chance to tell their stories and share their views.

Residency questions raised about City Council candidate Rita Church

For reasons that aren’t clear, the address listed on the state elections site isn’t in the district where Church is running. The city elections chief says that’s okay.

Sheila Dixon: “I was successful at what I did, even though that mistake happened”

Disgraced a decade ago and narrowly defeated in 2016, a former mayor sees a path back to City Hall.

“Mayor Pete” charms and alarms at a Baltimore fundraiser

While local pols and powerbrokers listened intently to presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg, others called out the lack of racial diversity at the event.

Fired for running for City Council, Phillip Westry wants his job back

Westry’s employer, a subsidiary of Maryland Legal Aid, said his 12th District candidacy could pose a conflict of interest. Westry calls their stance “crazy logic.”

Mary Washington enters race for Baltimore mayor

Progressive city senator joins an increasingly crowded field.

Sharp questions for Pryor, Dorsey and Ramos at a candidates’ forum

The primary isn’t happening until April, but Baltimore City Council hopefuls are already working hard and facing some heat.

Three challengers hope to topple Robert Stokes in the 12th

Council candidates say fresh ideas and new energy are needed for the East Baltimore district.

Opening his campaign office, Brandon Scott vows to “snatch” power from the old guard

“It’s time for the baton to be passed, and if they don’t want to pass it, we’re going to snatch it,” mayoral candidate says today.

Ex-police spokesman Smith tosses his hat into the ring

His pitch – to stop the city’s killings dead in their tracks. “I want zero murders,” says the latest candidate to enter the 2020 mayoral race.

Young’s use of a school marching band for campaign kick-off questioned

UPDATE: Mayor was “honored and proud” to have the band play at his kick-off. No response yet from city schools.

The man who said he wouldn’t run for mayor . . . announces

Jack Young kicks off his 2020 campaign before a crowd of fellow pols, top staffers and other well-wishers.

Jack Young to declare his candidacy for mayor on Saturday

EXCLUSIVE: Announcement will come after weeks of vigorous fundraising among political allies and new-found developer friends.

Mayor Young’s “party” on Saturday was a fundraiser

“Checks or money order payable to Friends of Bernard C. ‘Jack’ Young,” says a flier circulated to a limited number of contacts on behalf of Young, who has yet to declare.

Jack Young’s political machine goes into overdrive

Mayor headlines a large private party in East Baltimore, while across the harbor Councilman Eric Costello opts not to run as City Council president.

Wide-open race to replace Reisinger attracts a crowd of hopefuls

In Baltimore’s struggling 10th District, longtime leader Keisha Allen faces an incumbent-backed opponent, Phylicia Porter, and five other candidates.

Actress Rain Pryor takes aim at 3rd District incumbent Ryan Dorsey

The 2020 Council race in northeast Baltimore has heated up with the arrival of the conservative-leaning daughter of comedian Richard Pryor.

Residents decry “dirty tricks” aimed at challenger to northwest’s councilman

The 5th District race between Yitzy Schleifer and challenger Chris Ervin is off to a nasty start.

Young is talking to donors about running for Baltimore mayor in 2020

BREW EXCLUSIVE: Young’s office won’t comment on whether he’s testing the waters. UPDATED.

Policy and personal battles from Annapolis play out among candidates to replace Clarke and Scott

Candidates with powerful state allies and from dueling political families are among those seeking future and current vacancies on Baltimore’s City Council.

Pugh gathers up nearly $1 million in campaign cash

A look at the developers, contractors and others who turn up in the latest records on file with the state. UPDATED.

Pugh: Hold me accountable – and give me money

After criticism following another year of 300-plus murders, Baltimore’s mayor fires back with a re-election pitch.