ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Marilyn Mosby, a high-profile prosecutor who joined criminal justice reformers but ended up in legal trouble, lost the Democratic primary for Baltimore state’s attorney to Ivan Bates, a defense attorney.
Baltimore is heavily Democratic and there is no Republican candidate in the race. Roya Khanna is an independent candidate who has filed to run in the November general election.
“Today, Baltimore decided it was time for a change,” Bates wrote on Twitter. “A huge thank you to all my supporters. I recognize that working to help build a safer Baltimore is a huge challenge. I’m ready to lead — and work with collaborators of all stripes to help make this a reality.”
Mosby, who served two terms in office, rose to national prominence in 2015 when she brought criminal charges against six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who suffered a spinal cord injury after police handcuffed him, shackled him and placed it head first in Van. His death sparked riots and protests. None of the employees have been convicted.
In January, a grand jury indicted Mosby on two counts of perjury and making a false statement in a loan application for the purchase of a home in Kissimmee, Florida, and a condo in Long Boat Key, Florida. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The indictment accuses Mosby of falsely claiming that the COVID-19 pandemic hurt her finances so she could withdraw $90,000 from her city retirement account. Mosby’s gross salary in 2020 was more than $247,000 and was never reduced, according to the indictment.
Bates, who is the managing partner of the Baltimore law firm Bates & Garcia, served as a Baltimore prosecutor from 1996 to 2002 before becoming an attorney. He campaigned on his experience, stressing that the city needed a change in leadership with ethical, transparent and effective prosecution.
Bates also defeated Thiru Vignarajah, a former assistant attorney general.
Violent crime has been particularly high in Baltimore in recent years. There have been more than 300 murders in each of the past seven years. Earlier this year, Maryland’s largest city experienced its deadliest January in nearly half a century, with 36 murders.
The Democratic primary for Bates took until Friday to be called because the margins were narrower and more mail-in ballots were cast in the race. The election was held on Tuesday. Maryland law prohibits counties from opening mail-in ballots until the Thursday after Election Day.
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