Carl Stokes files for 12th District seat
City Councilman Carl Stokes filed this evening to run for his current 12th District seat, after months of saying he planned to run for mayor.
"There are too many people in the race," said Stokes. "The message gets muddled."
As Stokes told The Baltimore Sun earlier today, he does not support Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and he feels that by stepping back, he can give other candidates a chance.
Stokes said that he decided to run for his council seat because supporters have told him he is one of the few independent voices in the legislative body.
"My experience is important on the council. I'm hoping we can become a more independent council," he said.
Stokes' decision throws a wrench into the other candidates' plans -- many of which he had encouraged to run for office. The 12th District had been one of only two council seats without an incumbent candidate; there are currently more candidates in that seat than any other.
The other candidates include community activist Odette Ramos, Mt. Vernon-
Belvedere Association president Jason Curtis, Robert Stokes, a staffer for Carl Stokes (and no relation, De'Von Brown, a senior at Maryland Institute College of Art who was featured in The Boys of Baraka documentary, Jermaine Jones, whose family is rehabbing dozens of homes in Oliver, and longtime community leaders Ertha Harris and Frank Richardson.
Comments
Should have read :
Mr Carl Stokes filed this evening to run for his current seat which he was select by the12 incumbent council members along with the help of current select President Beranrd Jack Young who seat he was replacing. When Mr Stokes was confirmed, he stated that he would not run for the seat in Sept 2011. He may have said for months he is running for Mayor but for year's he has plan to run for Mayor and will plan to run again.
What does he mean there are to many people in the race and the message gets muddled. I think the message is clear you want to be Mayor. There are more people running in the 12th district than for mayor will the message get muddled there.
He doesn't support Stephine Rawlings-Blake than he should have stay in the race for Mayor. Everyone knows that the city council and the mayor must work together to help this city more forward.
If he feels that by stepping back he can give others candidates a chance, than why not give those who running in the 12th district that same chance. Also if he is so experience than why stay a city councilman, that's like staying in the 1st grade when you know you should be in high school or college. That's what experience people do move upward not backwards. Stokes my have throw a wrench and to some of the candidate's plan but not mine. Check my recorded I "Ertha Harris" have always said that I would run at a city council level since 2003 to find out why we are not winning, house are still broaded up, school are still failing, crime in still up, and politician are still playing games. Also records show that in 2003 I was endorsed by the Sun Paper, Vote Ertha Harris, 12th District City Council on Sept 13, 2011 or come out for Early Voting September 1, 2,3,6,7 & 8 (2011).
Ertha Harris
443-655-7198
erthaharris@gmail.com
Posted by: Anonymous | July 6, 2011 3:27 AM
Carl Stokes Realize He Has No Chance of Becoming Mayor, Wants His Old Job Back
Posted by: Able Baker | July 6, 2011 9:29 AM
CARL IS ANOTHER FAKE. THE LAST TIME HE RAN FOR MAYOR, HE DIDN'T HAVE THAT ATTITUDE. WHY DIDN'T HE STEP ASIDE THEN, WE NOW WOULD NOT BE DEALING WITH THE OWE'MALLEY CLAN. HE WAS EXPOSEDFOR LYING IN HIS BIO. HE IS NOTHING MORE THAN ANOTHER SMOKE AND MIRRORS CANDIDATE.
Posted by: UNCLEOLLIE41 | July 6, 2011 10:38 AM