Calling for a renewed focus on fighting crime to rebuild the city, Baltimore Councilman Lawrence A. Bell III announced his candidacy for the council presidency this morning.
A young, outspoken member of the City Council since 1987, Mr. Bell delivered a tough speech on the need to "rescue our young and old from the pervasive fear of being victimized by crime." The 4th District Democrat is perhaps best known for calling for the resignation of former police Commissioner Edward V. Woods amid a soaring murder rate in early 1993.
Mr. Bell cited his legislative efforts to combat crime and promote economic development, especially among African-American businesses.
He was joined by his cousin, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, a Baltimore Democrat, who described Mr. Bell as a courageous leader willing to speak out on controversial issues.
"When others were still because of the threat of ridicule, it was Lawrence Bell who spoke out," Mr. Mfume said.
For much of the spring, Mr. Bell was among several council members maneuvering to replace former Comptroller Jacqueline F. McLean after her sudden downfall in a corruption scandal.
Now he and the others have different political ambitions, leaving the comptroller's race so far to two City Hall outsiders -- outgoing state Sen. Julian L. "Jack" Lapides and political newcomer Joan M. Pratt.
More people have announced for the city's top positions than usual because of a series of extraordinary circumstances, including McLean's downfall and the plans of Council President Mary Pat Clarke to challenge the mayor's bid for a third term.
Three others on the all-Democratic council -- Vice President Vera P. Hall, 2nd District Councilman Carl Stokes and 6th District Councilman Joseph J. DiBlasi -- also have shown interest in becoming the next council president, setting up an intense, wide-open competition.
"There's clearly no front-runner. I think it will be spirited, so it's good for the city," said 2nd District Councilman Anthony J. Ambridge, who also is considering a bid for the council presidency.
Mrs. Hall, a two-term incumbent from the 5th District and former chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party, is a close ally of Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke. She already has hired a political consultant and sent out fund-raising letters.
Like Mr. Bell and Mrs. Hall, Mr. Stokes has been a councilman for two terms. He announced plans for the council presidency early in the year, then made a late entry in the race for state Senate in East Baltimore's 45th District. But he lost badly, leading some to question his citywide appeal.
Mr. DiBlasi, who has represented South Baltimore neighborhoods since 1983 and is the only white council member so far in the race, was the first to make his campaign official in October.
Mr. Lapides wants the comptroller's job to restore "stricter oversight of its leases, its pensions and all financial matters." His bumper stickers tout, "A Watchdog is Back," and he promises strict oversight of the office that controls city audits and real estate.
Ms. Pratt -- comptroller for the Legal Aid Bureau, an accountant who has her own financial practice and serves on the city's pension boards -- is "made for this job," said campaign manager Julius Henson. He said the time has come to have a professional take over the office.