Political experts said the effects of the ethics investigation on City Council President Sheila Dixon?s political career may not be known until the 2007 mayoral race.
Dixon?s ethics troubles center on her ties to Utech, a minority contractor firm that employed her sister Janice Dixon. The council president voted to approve contracts with Utech in her role as a member of the city Board of Estimates. According to The Baltimore Sun, Dixon also advocated for the firm during Board of Estimates hearings.
A search warrant executed at Utech?s Baltimore offices Wednesday marked a significant step forward in the grand jury investigation of her alleged violations of state?s public corruption laws. But political experts said there is little chance that Dixon will resign from office, even if an actual indictment is handed down by the grand jury. The consequences of the investigation will be hard to measure until votes are cast.
Matthew Crenson, a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University who worked on Carl Stokes? campaign for City Council president, said Dixon?s reputation has definitely suffered.
“This does put her in an awkward and unfavorable position,” Cransen said. But he said the political backlash may be tempered by turn-out.
“Among the high-turnout groups in the city are mature African-American women. If there are no other black women in the race for mayor, they may come to her defense,” he said.
Richard Vats, a professor of political communications at Towson University, said he thinks the effects on Dixon?s career will be minimal.
“[She] is very well-respected in the city, and I would surprised if she didn?t land on her feet. I don?t see any real zeal against her,” he said.
Lester Spence, a Johns Hopkins professor who specializes in race and politics, said Dixon?s ethics troubles may have broader effects on city wide races.
“The biggest issue in cities like Baltimore, with a black majority but substantial white population, is inter-racial competition,” he said. “I can easily see it leading to an African-American candidate competing with her.”
