Baltimore mayor will not seek re-election

Baltimore— Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s announcement Friday that she won’t seek re-election in 2016 comes as the city struggles to stabilize in the wake of riots, a harrowing spike in violence, and the firing of a police commissioner who oversaw a department now under federal investigation.

Rawlings- Blake, who has been Baltimore’s mayor for five years, said her decision was heavily influenced by the distinct hardships Baltimore faces after Freddie Gray, a black man, died in police custody. Gray’s death inspired protests and unrest that left buildings smoldering and millions of dollars in damage.

The mayor, who is black, faced harsh criticism for her handling of that crisis, with critics saying she was nowhere to be seen for five hours as structures were set aflame and windows smashed. The governor said she was unreachable for hours as he sought guidance on whether to send in the National Guard. Others blasted her for imposing a citywide curfew that lasted for days.

The riots also threw into focus deep-seated and systemic racial inequality and economic disparity that have plagued Baltimore for decades.

“Many important decisions lie ahead, both from recovering from April’s unrest and managing our city through the multiple trials we have coming up,” said Rawlings-Blake, referring to the prosecution of the six officers charged in Gray’s death.