Brandon Scott wins Democratic nomination in Baltimore mayoral race, Sheila Dixon not conceding
BALTIMORE – Brandon Scott won the Democratic primary nomination for Baltimore mayor in a rematch against former mayor Sheila Dixon, the Associated Press called Tuesday night.
Scott, the incumbent, and his challenger Sheila Dixon addressed the crowd with about 14,000 mail-in ballots still to be counted, which won't be until Thursday.
As of late Tuesday night, Scott held a 5,000 vote lead over Dixon with over 70% of precincts reporting when the AP called the race.
"There may be some votes to be counted, but it is safe to say, we are destined for a second term," Scott said. "Baltimore, you said very clearly that your democracy is not for sale no matter how rich they are. you have confirmed once again that the naysayers that underestimate our city will never understand what truly makes Baltimore great."
Dixon says she is waiting for all the mail-in votes to be counted.
"We're not giving up," said Dixon, Baltimore's former mayor. "It's not over until it's over."
Dixon built an early lead through mail-in votes, while Scott roared back with Election Day votes.
In 2020, Dixon held an Election Day lead before Scott overtook her to become the city's mayor.
She confirmed with WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren that she is not conceding.
There are still 14,000 ballots to be counted," Dixon said. "Unfortunately, the Baltimore City Board of Elections waits to count theirs versus other counties, which we need to change. There are a number of precincts in Baltimore that haven't come in."
Dixon said she has a team that will be monitoring the mail-in ballots when they come in.
"I want my supporters to know that I am appreciative of them," Dixon said. "I'm humbled that they voted for me, that they have expressed their love for the city and for me."
Scott reiterates campaign promises
Scott reiterated common themes of the final weeks of the campaign earlier Tuesday as he voted.
"We set out to have transformational change in Baltimore City—to not govern as we have before," Scott said. "I said that first day I was going to do the right thing, not the popular one. I was going to govern for the long term, not just for the term of getting re-elected. With the body of work we have -- leading us through the pandemic; reducing violence in this city; getting the economy going; investing in the neighborhoods and our people. We're hopeful the residents of Baltimore will put us back in."
Scott, 40, voted with his four-month-old son Charm on his lap. He said it was rewarding to have his family with him.
"It's the first time I've voted with other people since I started voting with my dad and mom when I was a little kid," Scott said. "So, it feels good to actually return that practice to the family of showing the young people in the family how to vote."