Almost 70 years have passed since a Republican sat on the Baltimore City Council, and this term will likely be no different, as Democrats were poised to sweep the general election Tuesday.
Republicans and Green Party candidates tried to unseat Democrats in seven council seats, and Democratic write-ins were vying for posts in two districts. Five seats were uncontested.
Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she planned to work to improve public education by strengthening parental involvement.
“There is also a tremendous amount of work that has to take place in the homes of young people, and that is working with organizations that are trying to teach parents to engage in the educational lives of their kids.”
“Every parent has to have a keen understanding of the importance of education.”
Rawlings-Blake pointed to safety as another major issue, calling the city?s violence “a crisis.”
Despite a “very, very sad” turnout, Council Member James Kraft, District 1, won his second term. Kraft said he wants to continue fighting crime by giving the city more power to regulate firearms and to continue introducing environmental bills.
For council president challenger Maria Allwine, political action won?t stop after the election.Allwine said she plans to rally the Green Party to find strong, credible candidates to challenge incumbents.
“We are going to become a real force,” Allwine said in between stops at polling places. “My intention is to start holding politicians? feet to the fire.”
Allwine said residents are ready for change, and that issues such as corruption in government and accountability are gaining ground.
“People know they are not being served, and they are looking for someone to say, ?This is not how we do government.? ”
She called the election a “success” for herself and fellow Green Party Bill Barry, who ran for City Council in the third district ? regardless of the results.
Examiner Staff writer Kelsey Volkmann contributed to this story.
