Rdtf
CNO
Joined: 13 May 2004
Posts: 2209
Location: BUSHville
|
 Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:59 am Post subject: NAACPs Mfume Seeks Sarbanes Senate Seat |
 |
|
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150374,00.html
Mfume Throws Hat in Senate Ring
Monday, March 14, 2005
| Quote: | BALTIMORE — The former president of the NAACP, Kweisi Mfume (search), on Monday became the first official candidate to run for the Maryland Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Paul Sarbanes (search).
Mfume announced his candidacy at a news conference in Baltimore.
"It is with great pride and deep humility that I announce to you today my candidacy for the Senate of the United States," Mfume said.
"I can't be bought. I won't be intimidated. I don't know how to quit," he said as his supporters applauded. Mfume also issued a three-page statement.
Mfume, 56, left the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (search) last year after serving nine years as its chief. Before that, he served five terms as a U.S. congressman from Maryland.
Sarbanes, a 72-year-old Democrat, announced Friday that he would not seek a sixth term, noting that he would be 80 when the term ended.
"It was just the right time," Sarbanes said. "We think we've served long and well and honorably, and we're very comfortable with this decision."
Maryland Democratic Party spokesman Derek Walker said he expects the party will field many candidates for the office and called Mfume's announcement "step one in what will be an embarrassment of wealth" for the party next year.
Other Democratic names have been offered as possible successors to Sarbanes, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (search), U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn (search) and Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan (search).
The heavily Democratic state voted for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential election and has two Democratic senators. Six of its eight representatives are Democrats.
However, Gov. Robert Ehrlich is a Republican and his African-American lieutenant, Michael Steele, is considered a rising star in both the state and the GOP.
Mfume has been credited with helping restore the NAACP's image. When he first took the helm, the historic civil rights organization was grappling with an embarrassing sex scandal involving its outgoing president Benjamin Chavis, bitter internal strife and a crippling $3.2 million budget deficit.
Mfume brought credibility and stability, working with former chairwoman Myrlie Evers-Williams (search) and current chairman Julian Bond (search) to institute corporate style-management practices.
When Mfume left, the organization had had a budget surplus for eight consecutive years and enjoyed an growing endowment fund. Membership was a half million spread across 48 states.
Mfume, born Frizzell Gray, is a Baltimore native whose adopted West African name translates to "conquering son of kings." He began his career as a dashiki-clad radio talk-show host and political activist in the 1970s.
He transformed himself into one of the nation's foremost civil rights leaders with a reputation for bridge-building, and started his political career in the Baltimore City Council before moving to Congress, where he led the Congressional Black Caucus.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
