Northwood Elementary was one stop out of many that Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore City State’s Attorney candidate, made today in a last effort to reach midterm election voters. The voting site wasn’t crowded, but there was a steady flow of people coming in and out.
A number of volunteers stood outside the polling exits dressed in paraphernalia that represented the candidates they were campaigning for.
Dressed in red, white and blue t-shirts, Lindsey Harberman and Daysia Taylor are two 17 year old volunteers who were positioned outside of Northwood Elementary.
Taylor said she wouldn’t choose politics as a career, but gave her opinion on what needs to happen in order to fix Maryland. “If we don’t have all Democrats in the House we are not going to get anywhere,” she said.
“Most of the Democrats have shown me that they are ready for change and without them then the world is going to be on the downfall.”
Taylor believes that there is a lack of voting initiative from the community members. “I feel like everybody’s complaining, but everyone is a part of the problem because they are not voting.”
When Mosby arrived at the polling site she was all smiles. “Thank you for voting,” she said. Then she singled out a woman who is 80 years old. The woman was born in Orangeburg, SC and raised on the Westside of Baltimore.
The older voter said to Mosby, “these kids nowadays need help, I’m glad you are here.” Mosby responded with, “I’m ready to get to work. I promise you we will get to our people before they get to the criminal justice system.”
Mosby said she is optimistic about winning. “I beat an incumbent who out-raised me four to one. I’m not overly presumptuous, but I am consciously optimistic.”
Mosby was inspired to run after her 17-year-old cousin was killed outside of her home. Her cousin was mistaken for another teen who was a drug dealer. When the teen was caught, the prosecution struggled to get testimonies and formulate a case because of the unwritten no-snitching rule.
If elected state’s attorney, she plans to, “break down the barriers of distrust” between black people and the justice system.
Mosby said she will first address repeat sex offenders. She also wants to obtain partnerships with the schools, churches, communities, law enforcement and businesses so that every stakeholder in Baltimore feels a sense of responsibility.
“I’m not for the rich corporation’s, I am for the people.”
As State’s Attorney, Mosby would be the youngest African American female to hold the position.
“It would mean the world to me because this is my heart and my passion.”
