Baltimore’s Marilyn Mosby is the latest progressive prosecutor to be defeated at the polls. The George Soros-backed two-term incumbent lost the Democrat primary.
Ivan Bates, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, won with 30,486 votes or about 40 percent; Thiru Vignarajah, 31 percent; and Mosby, 29 percent, according to results released by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
Bates criticized Mosby over her mismanagement and incompetence of her office which has seen crime spike each year. He told Democrats that he ran to make Baltimore safer. Polls show that spiraling crime is the number one issue among Black voters.
“I am humble, grateful, and excited that Baltimore decided it was time for a change, and the voters have placed their trust and belief in me,” Bates wrote to his supporters in an email announcing his victory on July 23.
“The job of helping build a safer Baltimore is a tremendous challenge. I am ready to lead—and to work with collaborators of all stripes to help make that a reality.”
During Mosby’s two terms, Baltimore’s homicide rose steadily, averaging 333 every year between 2015 and 2021. This year’s numbers are on track to surpass those of 2021, according to Baltimore Police Department data.
During Mosby’s predecessor Gregg Bernstein’s final term, the city had a yearly average of 215 murders.
To fight crime, Bates proposes a five-point prosecution plan (pdf), including putting more resources into prosecuting illegal gun possessors, users, and traffickers, according to his campaign website.
She ran her reelection campaign on her record of reducing the population behind bars, holding police officers accountable for their actions, and reviewing convictions for potential exoneration. Polls also show that, across the nation, Blacks agree with white voters that defunding police departments is bad for communities and increases crime.
Months after she took over the office, she grabbed national headlines by prosecuting six police officers over the death of Freddie Gray. However, all charges, including murder and manslaughter, were later dropped.
Mosby also fired a slew of veteran prosecutors upon taking office, including a 20-year veteran in the middle of an armed robbery trial against a violent repeat offender. She instead hired young, inexperienced lawyers to fill the posts.
Many veterans resigned, including Roya Hanna, who now works as a defense attorney.
In January, Mosby was indicted on federal charges of perjury and making false mortgage applications. She allegedly made false applications to withdraw retirement money to purchase a vacation home in Florida. Mosby has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
–Wire services