Notable names in mayor’s race have yet to file

Almost a dozen Democrats have filed to run in the primary election for Baltimore’s next mayor, but even that large number doesn’t reflect just how crowded the field is in this deep-blue city.

Several of the best-known candidates have yet to formally submit their paperwork — including Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, City Council President Brandon Scott and former Mayor Sheila Dixon — ahead of the Jan. 24 deadline. All three have announced their campaigns and are actively fundraising.

Also among those who have announced their campaigns but not yet filed with the State Board of Elections, as of Wednesday, are former state Deputy Attorney General Thiru Vignarajah and former Baltimore Police Department spokesman T.J. Smith.

Perhaps the most prominent Democrat who has submitted her paperwork is state Sen. Mary Washington. This is important for her fundraising efforts because Maryland election code prohibits state lawmakers from soliciting donations during the General Assembly session — unless they’ve filed their candidacy for a local office.

Myles Handy, Young’s campaign spokesman, said it’s no secret the mayor is running to keep his seat in 2020.

Marvin James, Scott’s campaign spokesman, said the time between announcing and filing helps build excitement leading up to the primary.

Maggie Gratz, Vignarajah’s chief of staff, said the campaign would formally file soon, building upon their momentum.

When former T. Rowe Price executive Mary Miller announced her candidacy Tuesday, it likely set the Democratic field, though the filing deadline remains about two weeks away.

But until Jan. 24 comes around, anything is possible: In 2016, civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson made a surprise jump into mayoral primary with just minutes to spare.

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