State’s Attorney Candidate Ivan Bates Now Running Unopposed in General Election
Photo from Bates’ campaign Facebook page
Attorney, Army veteran, and Locust Point resident Ivan Bates unseated Marilyn Mosby in the Democrat Primary for Baltimore City State’s Attorney and, now, he will run unopposed in the General Election as Independent Roya Hanna announced last week that she is dropping out of the race. This clears the way for Bates to be the next Baltimore City State’s Attorney.
In a press conference on July 31st, Hanna said:
“I first want to congratulate Mr. Bates on winning the Democratic nomination for Baltimore City State’s Attorney. Mr. Bates earned this victory through dedication and hard work for the last five years and he should be commended.”
“Over a year ago, I started my campaign with the idea that what Baltimore really needed was a change in the State’s Attorney’s Office and new leadership so that we can put public safety above politics and make the criminal justice system work for everyone, including and especially the victims and victim families.”
“Baltimore has seen over 200 murders in a little more than half the year. There is no time to waste in the work that must be done to rebuild the State’s Attorney’s Office. The risk is that hundreds more lives may be lost while we await the political process and that the next State’s Attorney will not be able to have people and policies in place and ready to be implemented on day one. Crime is the number one issue in Baltimore, it is the reason why we are not achieving the greatness that I know is possible in this City.”
“Tackling this problem must start today. Baltimore has voted for change and that was the very reason I entered this race. I have made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for State’s Attorney so that our city can move forward united and that every community member, the police department, and other stakeholders can help make our city safer.”
Bates ran as a candidate pledging to change many of the policies of Mosby.
From The Baltimore Banner:
If elected, Bates said his office will pursue offenses for illegal firearms possession that carry five-year mandatory minimum sentences. Assistant state’s attorneys, he said, will take cases to trial and win.
He said he will also rescind Mosby’s policy of not prosecuting certain low-level, nonviolent offenses, including drug possession, prostitution and trespassing.
Bates also defeated Thiru Vignarajah who finished in second place in the primary.
Photo from Bates’ campaign Facebook page
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
