Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake made clear Wednesday she thinks it's imperative a candidate from Baltimore run for Senate. What she didn't confirm was whether she wants to be that person.
"I hope I've been clear about how much of a privilege I think it is for me to get to do what I get to do every day," she said. "And every day I find more reasons to be energized and optimistic about what we're doing in the city.
"I also understand on a larger scale just how important it is to continue to have political strength from Baltimore City," She said.
Rawlings-Blake said she's talking to other Baltimore Democrats about their interest in running to replace Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, who unexpectedly announced this month that she will not seek re-election in 2016.
Chief among Baltimore contenders who would keep Rawlings-Blake from running is Rep. Elijah E. Cummings. The longtime congressman has said he is considering a run for the seat.
"I like what I am doing," Rawlings-Blake said. "I want to stay where I am – let's just try to work on getting someone from Baltimore."
The only announced candidates are Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Montgomery County Democrat, and Rep. Donna F. Edwards, Prince George's County Democrat.
Other Democrats considering jumping in the race include Reps. John Delaney, John P. Sarbanes and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger as well as former NAACP President Ben Jealous and former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
On the Republican side Rep. Andy Harris of Baltimore County and former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. could be contenders.
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