Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon is expected to endorse presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama this morning, a gesture that might affect the upcoming Maryland presidential primary.
A consultant who worked on Dixon?s mayoral campaign distributed a news release Friday announcing Dixon would be making the endorsement at the Orchard Street Church before the parade celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The announcement caused speculation that Dixon would use the holiday to throw her support behind a black candidate for president.
“We?ve been told she is endorsing Obama,” said Del. Jill Carter, a member of the city?s General Assembly delegation.
Dixon spokesman Sterling Clifford declined to comment.
The recent victory by U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton in Nevada means the Maryland primary Feb. 12 might play some role in who wins the Democratic Party?s presidential nomination.
Baltimore?s predominantly black population could provide crucial support for Obama, Carter said.
