Bob Wallace will join Baltimores mayors race as a Democrat – The Baltimore Banner
Bob Wallace, the independent candidate who ran unsuccessfully for Baltimore mayor in 2020, made 2024s race a bit more interesting Thursday evening after he announced his 2024 candidacy as a Democrat.
He will join Mayor Brandon Scott and former Mayor Sheila Dixon in seeking City Halls top office, a race where roughly 30% of city Democrats say they havent made up their minds or want another choice besides Dixon and Scott, according to a recent poll from The Baltimore Banner and Goucher College.
Ive been a Democrat. Ive been Republican. Ive been an independent. Im not somebody who was hung up on party, Im hung up on solutions. Wallace said in an interview. Now, I see that the Democratic Party has better solutions for the problems I see in Baltimore.
He announced his campaign before a crowd of a few dozen older Black residents at Forum Caterers in Northwest Baltimore.
Wallace, a 67-year-old businessman who grew up in Cherry Hill and founded information technology and renewable energy companies, has hinted for months he would join the race and first announced his exploratory committee in May. He netted 20.2% of the 2020 general election vote to Scotts 70.5%. He announced his 2020 candidacy shortly before the June primary, where Scott came out on top of a crowded field of Democrats.
Running as anything other than a Democrat in deep-blue Baltimore is an uphill battle. Youve got to run how you got to run, unfortunately, and in Baltimore, thats as a Democrat, said Wallace campaign adviser Michael Eugene Johnson.
Bob Wallace speaks during his mayoral campaign launch event at The Forum Caterers in Northwest Baltimore on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)
But Wallace doesnt have to win over many primary voters to potentially impact the outcome of the election. Scott eked out a win over Dixon in a crowded field of Democrats in 2020, winning 29.6% of the electorate to Dixons 27.5%.
The Banner-Goucher poll surveyed 537 registered Democrats by landline and mobile about the mayors race from Sept. 19-23. The poll has a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.
Among the Democrats surveyed, 39% said they would vote for Dixon if the primary election were held today, while 27% chose Scott. Another 23% prefer some other candidate.
Im looking at how many people didnt want either, Wallace said. And I really think we overestimate how deep and how wide Ms. Dixons base is. I think we can take some of those votes. And I think we can dig into Mr. Scotts base as well.
Johnson, who served as the nights emcee, praised Wallace as a self-made man who the youth could stand to learn a thing or two from.
They need to see a man thats a stand-up man, who dont wear his pants where they dont need to be, whos been married to the same beautiful woman for 45 years, he said.
Wallace pledged his first priority in office would be education, saying he would replace Sonja Santelises as Baltimore City schools CEO and replace the schools board. Two members of the board are elected; the rest are appointed by the mayor.
Reducing crime would also be a top priority.
We will not negotiate with criminals, he said, adding that does not mean he would suspend Safe Streets and Roca but take a very detailed look at their relationship with the city.
The elderly are prisoners in their own homes. They need to feel like they did when I was a kid, that they can walk to the corner store without getting harassed, he said.
As mayor, he said, he would go up to Wall Street and Im going to get investors to invest in this big, massive, public project to rebuild Baltimore using minority and women-owned businesses, and train our kids in all schools to be the carpenters, electricians, the plumbers.
He also said he would create a business district to honor the contributions of people from the African diaspora to Baltimore.
The fundamental question, said pollster and Goucher political science professor Mileah Kromer, is what voting groups Wallace may be able to capture.
Right now, the public doesnt know enough about him to answer that, and we dont even know if the lane of undecided voters is a coherent set of people, she said. Theyre a highly diverse bunch with many different demographic backgrounds.
Johnson told event attendees to Pay attention to when the media says that theyre going to have a debate forum and these are the only two people theyre going to invite, he said, referring to Dixon and Scott. The hell you dont invite the candidate who got 50,000 votes as an independent. When that happens, youve got to pick up the phone.
Wallace ran a largely self-financed campaign: He loaned himself about $300,000 during the 2020 election; his wife Carolyn Green loaned him $50,000.
Campaign finance reports from January 2023, the most recent available, show a discrepancy between his campaigns bank account balance and cash balance; the former lists a $975 balance, while the latter lists a $13,181 balance.
Dixon had just under $5,000 in her campaign account. A prominent fundraising group created a super PAC to benefit her over the summer, but it has not yet reported any fundraising or expenditures. Scott reported having nearly $451,000 on hand.
Bob Wallace speaks at a rally for 2022's ballot item Question K outside Baltimore City Hall. (Emily Sullivan/Emily Sullivan)
Wallace said he would consider funding his campaign again, but that he is hoping to fundraise through grassroots donations.
Im capable of funding my campaign and I will see what what I need to do, he said.
Regardless of how much money Wallace raises or loans his campaign, it will be a challenge to go up against Scott and Dixon, who as an incumbent and former mayor, respectively, have high name recognition throughout the city. He remained largely out of the headlines since 2020, though he teamed up with organizers supporting a ballot measure that established term limits for city politicians that was funded by a ballot issue committee with financial ties toward Sinclair Broadcast Group.
It may be a challenge for someone like Wallace, who has not been a part of establishment Democratic politics, to hire a solid fundraiser, make ads, and strategize what doors to knock this late in the game, Kromer said: Thats not to say theres not talented people out there, but most people are booked and busy.
Original post:
Bob Wallace will join Baltimores mayors race as a Democrat - The Baltimore Banner
- Dan Osborn spurns Democrats, other parties whose help he sought in Senate race Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska Examiner - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- House Democrats Have Overwhelmingly Voted Against Our Law Enforcement Officers - GOP.gov - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Houston House Democratic primary gets uglier ahead of runoff - The Texas Tribune - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Here's what to know about the May 23 Idaho Democratic presidential caucus Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- With sagging polls, could Biden hurt Democrats in critical New York House races? - Spectrum News NY1 - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democratic filibuster of initiative petition bill exceeds 41 hours, sets new record Missouri Independent - Missouri Independent - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Thousands of Philly Democrats wrote in names other than Biden during Pa. Primary, data shows - NBC Philadelphia - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- JESSE WATTERS: If Democrats are going to lock up Republicans, maybe they need a taste of their own medicine - Fox News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Attacked on abortion pivot, Hogan says 'we'll see if voters believe me' - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- House Democrats launch probe of Trump's dinner with oil executives - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Outside money in Oregon swing district prompts claims of Republican meddling Oregon Capital Chronicle - Oregon Capital Chronicle - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats' Last Chance to Dump Biden? - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats seek escape hatch on vote to force Biden's hand on Israel - Axios - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Michigan Democrats want review of signatures submitted by GOP Senate candidates - Detroit Free Press - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Opinion | Democrats could sweep the 2024 elections and make major policy changes - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats face rupture over vote to force Israel arms shipments - Axios - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Will Maryland's 'uncommitted' primary voters sway Biden administration on Gaza cease-fire? - Maryland Matters - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Opinion | Can This Ex-Republican Revive Democrats in Rural Ohio? - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Who is Angela Alsobrooks? The Maryland Democrat faces Larry Hogan this fall - NPR - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats look to band together after Maryland's bruising Senate primary - Yahoo News UK - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democratic Georgia Senate retirements open seats for first time in decades - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Maryland Democrats battle for party's future and control of the Senate - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- As House readies a vote on Israeli arms, Democrats whip members in opposition - Roll Call - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Sixteen Democrats join Republicans to override Biden's halt on bomb transfers to Israel - Middle East Eye - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats Batter Bank Regulator Over F.D.I.C.'s 'Toxic' Workplace Culture - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Virginia: Two Democrats vie for chance to take on Wittman - Richmond Times-Dispatch - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Missouri Democrats' filibuster effort to make it harder to amend state constitution - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats, Republicans say higher education is valuable - Inside Higher Ed - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Fuel industry group targets Biden and Democrats in key states over emissions standards - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Johnson falls short with claim on Democrats backing of abortions up to the moment of birth - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- 3 out of 5 NV congressional Democrats want to let the mining industry party like it's 1872 Nevada Current - Nevada Current - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- As co-rulers of the House, the Democratic majority-in-waiting may have already arrived - The Washington Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Speaker Mike Johnson Survives Marjorie Taylor Greene Move to Oust Him - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Ex-GOP Gov. Hogan is popular with some Maryland Democrats, but not enough to put him in the Senate - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Saturday letters: Pitfalls of unaffiliated voting; 'gullible' Democrats - The Providence Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Nervous about falling behind the GOP, Democrats are wrestling with how to use AI - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- If Democrats choose the teachers unions, Hispanics will choose their families instead - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats seek to make GOP pay in November for threats to reproductive rights - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Noting campus protests, Democrats are preparing for intense action at their summer convention - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- 15 House Democrats call on Biden to take border executive action - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Trump criticizes Jewish Democrats as he attacks Biden over threat to withhold U.S. weapons to Israel - NBC News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- How Democrats Hope to Limit Protests at the DNC in Chicago - TIME - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Analysis | No, Democrats didn't vote to give noncitizens a voice in Congress - The Washington Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Inside the College Democrats' Rebuke of Biden - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- In the Arizona Senate Race, Ruben Gallego Shows Democrats What It Takes to Win Back Latinos - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats, Sensing Shift on Abortion Rights Among Latinas, Push for More Gains - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Ex-GOP Gov. Hogan is popular with some Maryland Democrats, but not enough to put him in the Senate - Bowling Green Daily News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Why Democrats Are Suddenly Excited About Florida - TIME - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Illinois Democrats' law changing the choosing of legislative candidates faces GOP opposition - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats push Biden for executive action to secure border - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats oppose Senate plan to ensure Biden is on Ohio ballot, while House skips voting on a fix - The Statehouse News Bureau - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Division among Democrats as 26 party members pen letter to Biden condemning withholding Israel aid - The Jerusalem Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats Impeached Trump Over This - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats save Mike Johnson | Latest US politics news from The Economist - The Economist - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Most Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - poll - The Jerusalem Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- McCarthy says he couldnt live with himself if he did deal with Democrats to save Speakership - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats never expected this Senate primary to have such high stakes - Semafor - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Column: Expect campus uprisings to cause headaches for Democrats this election - Los Angeles Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Abortion rights activists worry about Democrats piggybacking on the cause: This is not a ploy - The Guardian US - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats look to flip the script on border security as Republicans decry political stunt - Washington Examiner - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Rep. DeBoyer rips House Democrats for discarding measure that protects state from countries of concern - Mi House ... - Michigan House Republicans - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats demand Biden take executive action on the border crisis - Fox Business - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats prepare to go on offense on immigration in the coming weeks - NBC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Mike Johnson Becomes the Speaker of the Whole House. For Now. - The New York Times - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats vote to prevent ouster of Republican US House speaker by right-wing rebel - FRANCE 24 English - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Video What are the odds Democrats will win the popular vote? - ABC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Democrats Brace for Gaza War Protests at Convention in Chicago - The Wall Street Journal - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats Introduce Bill to Allow Medicaid Coverage of Doulas and Midwives - Truthout - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats work to keep protests from disrupting Chicago convention, with concerns over parallels to 1968 - ABC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Majority of Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide - The New Arab - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Idaho Democratic Party doubles legislative candidate numbers in the face of GOP supermajority Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Justice Sotomayor's health isn't the real problem for Democrats winning elections is - The Conversation - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Why Beethoven's ninth appeals to democrats and despots alike - The Economist - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Johnson Survives Greene's Ouster Attempt as Democrats Join GOP to Kill It - Yahoo! Voices - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Atlantic County Democrats want faster mailing of ballots - Press of Atlantic City - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats impeached Trump for exactly what Biden is now doing to Israel - The Hill - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- 163 House Democrats Voted to Protect Speaker Mike Johnson's Job - GV Wire - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Opinion | Trump Knows Dominance Wins. Someone Tell Democrats. - The New York Times - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- 'Terrifying': Democrats say they have plans to keep electors safe from political violence - USA TODAY - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats step up campaign to block third parties - WSWS - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]