A Northeast Baltimore community leader said Wednesday he plans to step down from the city's Board of Elections to run for a state delegate seat.
Cory McCray, 30, who lives in Overlea, said he plans to run for the 45th District legislative seat formerly held by Del. Hattie Harrison. In February, Nina R. Harper, 60, was sworn in to succeed Harrison, a Democrat who died Jan. 28 at 84 after nearly 40 years in office.
Harper, the executive director of the Oliver Economic Development Corp., was chosen as Harrison's replacement by Baltimore's Democratic State Central Committee and was automatically appointed by Gov. Martin O'Malley under the state Constitution.
Talmadge Branch, the house's majority whip, and Cheryl D. Glenn, the deputy majority whip, also represent the East Baltimore district. The top three vote-getters in 2014 will be elected to the seats.
McCray, who earlier this year sought the appointment to Harrison's seat, said in a statement that he appeciated the opportunity to serve on the elections board.
"My family and I look forward to assisting in the creation of a prosperous future for the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland," he said.
He was born in Baltimore and graduated from the city's public school system. A small real estate business owner, McCray also graduated from a five-year apprenticeship program with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24, where he currently serves as an organizer.
McCray and several other community leaders in 2012 formed the B.E.S.T. Democratic Club, an organization that aims to bolster politicial involvement among young people in East Baltimore. That organization has grown to include more than 500 members since its inception, McCray said.
Luke.Broadwater@baltsun.com
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