Roxanne McGowan, left, an election judge, waits as Mickey Schaffner, center, and Shannon Waldron vote at the Annapolis Recreation Center. (Baltimore Sun photo by Lloyd Fox / November 3, 2009) |
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Anne Arundel County Councilman Joshua J. Cohen was elected Tuesday as Annapolis' mayor, promising to bring efficiency and transparency to local government in Maryland's capital city.
Cohen, a former city alderman, defeated his nearest competitor, Republican Dave Cordle, an alderman and investigator in the state's attorney's office, by about 240 votes. Chris Fox, a local business owner, garnered about 1,050 votes, in a race where about 9,000 votes were cast.
"Today, Annapolis voters sent a clear message that they want to raise the bar at City Hall," Cohen told supporters inside an Annapolis hotel, promising to hire an experienced city administrator, rein in city spending and "set new standards for transparency."
"We are going to change the tone at City Hall to one where reasoned debate is welcomed and invited," said Cohen, who congratulated his opponents.
Cohen's victory could serve as a possible remedy to the political stalemate on slot machine gambling. His victory leaves vacant his seat on the council, which is considering two zoning bills that would allow slots in the county.
Some political observers have speculated that the council, which will appoint Cohen's replacement, might choose a pro-slots councilman to avoid having to support slots publicly but also ensuring that the zoning would be approved. Cohen does not support slots.
Cohen, 36, lost the Democratic primary in September, but ultimately became the nominee after Zina C. Pierre withdrew from the race amid revelations of personal financial problems and residency issues. The city's Democratic Central Committee selected Cohen, who placed second in the six-way primary race, to replace Pierre on the ballot.
Cohen reached out to Pierre's supporters, specifically African-Americans, hiring some of Pierre's former campaign staff members and promising diversity in his Cabinet.
Throughout the campaign, Cohen, who grew up in Annapolis, stressed his roots in the community and campaigned on a message of reform. Unlike many of his challengers, Cohen rejected calls for a city manager, which became popular as dissatisfaction with the current administration of Mayor Ellen O. Moyer grew. Moyer, a Democrat, cannot serve another term.
Cohen, who works at the nonprofit Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center, was elected to the city council in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. He has represented Annapolis on the council since 2006.
A former parole and probation officer, he graduated with an economics degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is married, has two daughters and lives in West Annapolis.
Kristin Chapman said she voted for Cohen, crediting him for helping to get funding for a school construction project in her neighborhood.
"I think he takes a logical, diplomatic approach to politics and he has a good understanding of what's going on in the city because he grew up here," said Chapman, 35, outside the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Carlos Crosier, 72, an independent, said he voted for Cordle, saying neither Cohen or Fox "impressed me much."
Cordle's "a nice guy," Crosier said. "He's for the city manager."
Timothy Boston Jr., 22, an Annapolis resident who works for a real estate firm in Severna Park, said he wrote in Pierre's name for mayor, saying he was uncomfortable voting for Cohen because "he goes from one position to the other."
"I'm just not confident that if we elect him as mayor, if a year down the line if someone tells him to run as county executive, what is he going to do then?"
Cohen, a former city alderman, defeated his nearest competitor, Republican Dave Cordle, an alderman and investigator in the state's attorney's office, by about 240 votes. Chris Fox, a local business owner, garnered about 1,050 votes, in a race where about 9,000 votes were cast.
"Today, Annapolis voters sent a clear message that they want to raise the bar at City Hall," Cohen told supporters inside an Annapolis hotel, promising to hire an experienced city administrator, rein in city spending and "set new standards for transparency."
"We are going to change the tone at City Hall to one where reasoned debate is welcomed and invited," said Cohen, who congratulated his opponents.
Cohen's victory could serve as a possible remedy to the political stalemate on slot machine gambling. His victory leaves vacant his seat on the council, which is considering two zoning bills that would allow slots in the county.
Some political observers have speculated that the council, which will appoint Cohen's replacement, might choose a pro-slots councilman to avoid having to support slots publicly but also ensuring that the zoning would be approved. Cohen does not support slots.
Cohen, 36, lost the Democratic primary in September, but ultimately became the nominee after Zina C. Pierre withdrew from the race amid revelations of personal financial problems and residency issues. The city's Democratic Central Committee selected Cohen, who placed second in the six-way primary race, to replace Pierre on the ballot.
Cohen reached out to Pierre's supporters, specifically African-Americans, hiring some of Pierre's former campaign staff members and promising diversity in his Cabinet.
Throughout the campaign, Cohen, who grew up in Annapolis, stressed his roots in the community and campaigned on a message of reform. Unlike many of his challengers, Cohen rejected calls for a city manager, which became popular as dissatisfaction with the current administration of Mayor Ellen O. Moyer grew. Moyer, a Democrat, cannot serve another term.
Cohen, who works at the nonprofit Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center, was elected to the city council in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. He has represented Annapolis on the council since 2006.
A former parole and probation officer, he graduated with an economics degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is married, has two daughters and lives in West Annapolis.
Kristin Chapman said she voted for Cohen, crediting him for helping to get funding for a school construction project in her neighborhood.
"I think he takes a logical, diplomatic approach to politics and he has a good understanding of what's going on in the city because he grew up here," said Chapman, 35, outside the Trinity United Methodist Church.
Carlos Crosier, 72, an independent, said he voted for Cordle, saying neither Cohen or Fox "impressed me much."
Cordle's "a nice guy," Crosier said. "He's for the city manager."
Timothy Boston Jr., 22, an Annapolis resident who works for a real estate firm in Severna Park, said he wrote in Pierre's name for mayor, saying he was uncomfortable voting for Cohen because "he goes from one position to the other."
"I'm just not confident that if we elect him as mayor, if a year down the line if someone tells him to run as county executive, what is he going to do then?"
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