District 44: Keiffer Mitchell to run for House
Hardly breaking news -- as evidenced by this photo, he's been making plans for a while -- but Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. confirmed this morning that he is running for a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Mitchell, who was a Baltimore City Council member for 12 years before his unsuccessful bid to become mayor in 2007, describes public service as in his blood. Mitchell's grandfather was the late Clarence M. Mitchell Jr., a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, and his great-uncle was the late Parren J. Mitchell, the Maryland's first African-American U.S. congressman.
Since the mayoral loss, Mitchell has been working as a small-business lender at Wachovia and recently started a consulting firm. The Bolton Hill resident has been pondering a return to politics for the better part of a year.
"I'd bring energy and ideas" to the General Assembly, Mitchell said. "I know this city. I criss-crossed it running for mayor."
He'll likely be in a Democratic primary race flush with candidates. All three of the District 44 delegates -- Keith E. Haynes, Ruth M. Kirk and Melvin L. Stukes -- are running again, and NAACP's Baltimore chapter president, Marvin "Doc" Cheatham, has milled a bid. Wesley Wood, a former aide to Mitchell and to Gov. Parris N. Glendening, also is in the mix.
**Update** As several commenters have noted, Matt Charvat also is running. In an e-mail he just sent me, he described himself as a Baltimore native who works in the city's Human Resources Department.
"I'm not targeting anyone," Mitchell said when asked if he was after a particular delegate's seat. "It's not my job to critique others."
Comments
Okay, a race for the House of Delegates. Great. Stukes out, Mitchell in.
I'll vote for that!
Posted by: Sean Tully | May 4, 2010 11:57 AM
THERE'S NO WAY THIS SOFT, MARSHMELLOW WILL GET MY VOTE. HE'S PITIFUL. THE BEST THING HE CAN DO FOR THE STATE IS TO KEEP SELLING ORANGE JUICE AT THE FARMERS MARKET ON SUNDAYS. MAYBE HE'LL START GIVING AWAY OJ FOR FREE FOR A VOTE?? HE'S AN EMBARASSMENT TO THE MITCHELL NAME. HIS FATHER STEALING MONEY DERAILED HIS LAST BIT FOR OFFICE. WHAT OTHER SKELETONS WILL SURFACE BEFORE THE ELECTION.
Posted by: uncleollie41 | May 4, 2010 12:15 PM
That last comment was as a private citizen. This comment is as president of the Violetville Community Association:
Mr. Mitchell,
If you read this, I want to extend an invitation to you to participate in the Violetville Little League Parade, this Saturday, May 8, 2010. We meet at Violetville school, which is at 1207 Pine Heights Avenue. The parade is at 10 a.m. (forming around 9:30 or so). There is a festival in the park after the parade.
You walked in our parade a few years ago when you were running for mayor. The route is much shorter this year.
While the VCA doesn't endorse candidates, you are always welcomed to walk in the parade.
I tried to find contact info for you since reading this story, but I couldn't find anything. So I'll just extend invitation here.
Sean Tully
President
Violetville Community Association
Posted by: Sean Tully | May 4, 2010 12:19 PM
Good for Keiffer and GREAT news for the city of Baltimore.
Posted by: KMS | May 4, 2010 12:48 PM
Don't forget about Pigtown resident Matthew Charvat who is also running for House of Delegates in District 44. He is a new comer to the Baltimore political scene, but he has some great ideas.
From Julie: Thanks for the tip! It can be tricky to learn about all of these candidates.
Posted by: Hopeful in 44 | May 4, 2010 1:16 PM
I noticed that Matthew Charvat, a Candidate for District 44 was not mentioned in the ariticle. He is a newcomer and has some great ideas for the community!
Posted by: Cindy | May 4, 2010 1:53 PM
Does Mitchell support and adhere fully to the Constitution of the United States and the Amendments, to include the 2nd Amendment, the right to bear arms, and make Maryland a "Shall Issue" state? Then he's got my VOTE!
Posted by: john smith | May 4, 2010 3:37 PM
I think it's great for Keifer, but not for Baltimore. We could use him in City Hall!
Posted by: Daniel | May 4, 2010 5:19 PM
I thank you for including Matthew Charvat in this article. He has been working hard to find the needs of this District and be the voice needed to bring those needs to action!
Posted by: Adam Van Bavel | May 6, 2010 11:45 AM
Billy Taylor is running How about some information on him??
Posted by: Michael A.Spivey | June 21, 2010 2:32 PM
Keifer will be the best for our area he gets on top of problems they need to get rid of these older people that are doing nothing but sucking our money lets get a young guy in there and watch this guy work everything he has done before was a great job we need a change so show your support by posting a sign on your front lawn
Posted by: Johnny Jophnson | July 8, 2010 12:15 AM
Good for Keiffer and GREAT news for the city of Baltimore.boy we will love this you got my vote
Posted by: Johnny Johnson | July 8, 2010 12:17 AM
Well Keifer,
East Baltimore residents, in the Hopkins
urban renewal area, certainly hope that
you will do a better job of representing
us than the present 44th district reps.
Why are they all so scared of Hopkins
that they don't even come to east
baltimore? What's us with that?
Shake em up baby. They need to be
sweating.
Posted by: big foot | July 10, 2010 11:04 PM