A candidate for Annapolis alderman says he will file a complaint with the state Attorney General’s office after an anonymous racist and homophobic flier criticizing his candidacy began circulating last weekend.

The flier, addressed to the “Friends and Supporters of Black Annapolis,” was distributed in public housing developments in Ward 3, where Republican Scott Bowling, who is white, is challenging the Democratic incumbent Classie Hoyle, who is African-American.

The flier states that Bowling “will be a danger to us all and our children,” and makes references to the “risk of sexual assault,” and says that Bowling is “white and gay,” and “wants to push for a pro gay agenda at City Hall.”

“It’s racial, bigoted and prejudiced and this has no place in Annapolis politics,” said Bowling, 38, a mortgage banker.

The flier also compares Bowling, who is openly gay, to Samuel E. Shropshire, the alderman who has been accused of fondling a male midshipman.

“There’s no secret,” said Bowling. “I don’t feel that has anything to do with the issues facing the city, but it’s who I am.”

Hoyle, who has held the seat for eight years, could not be reached for comment.
Raquel Guillory, a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office, said Tuesday that any complaint filed would be reviewed and likely referred to the state’s attorney office.

-- Nicole Fuller