 BALTIMORE (AP) - Sheila Dixon, the first black woman to serve as mayor of Baltimore, all but guaranteed herself an extended stay in office with a resounding victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
Dixon, 53, took over as mayor in January for Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley. Baltimore, which is 65 percent black, has elected one black mayor, Kurt L. Schmoke, who served from 1987 to 1999. Dixon is the first woman to hold the office.
"I stand humbled in front of every Baltimorean tonight, regardless of what button you pushed, uptown or downtown, have lots of money or none," Dixon said in a speech at her victory party. "I am your humble servant who will work tirelessly on your behalf."
With 98 percent of the city's precincts reporting, Dixon had 50,639 votes, or 63 percent, compared with 18,965 votes, or 24 percent, for City Councilman Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr.
Dixon will face little-known Republican Elbert R. Henderson in the Nov. 6 general election, but that contest is considered a formality since 79 percent of the city's registered voters are Democrats.
In the race for City Council president, incumbent Stephanie Rawlings-Blake fought off a strong challenge from Michael Sarbanes, the son of former U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes. With 89 percent of precincts reporting, Rawlings-Blake had 49 percent, compared with 39 percent for Sarbanes.
The victories by Dixon and Rawlings-Blake completed an historic sweep by black women of the city's top four elected positions. Joan Pratt ran unopposed for comptroller, and State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy was not up for re-election.
Primary turnout was light, with 28 percent of eligible voters casting ballots, according to city elections officials.
While Dixon's term as City Council president was marred by questions about her ethics, she has won praise during her seven months as mayor for her decisive leadership amid trying circumstances, including an increase in homicides and the death of a city fire recruit during a training exercise.
Matthew Crenson, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said Dixon, who once waved her shoe in the air during a racially charged City Council debate over redistricting, has mellowed considerably — and broadened her appeal.
"She demonstrated that while she may not have had any imaginative initiatives, she was able to handle problems that were served up to her, and without waving her shoe," Crenson said.
Mitchell, 39, hammered the mayor over her crime-fighting strategies and perceived ethical lapses, but the longtime councilman and scion of one of the city's most famous political families never gained traction with voters.He said he called and left a message for Dixon offering his support. |