2003–04 Baltimore mayoral election

The 2003–2004 Baltimore mayoral election saw the reelection of incumbent mayor Martin O'Malley.

Baltimore mayoral election, 2003–2004

← 1999 November 2, 2004 2007 →
 
Candidate Martin O'Malley Elbert R. Henderson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 173,030 24,445
Percentage 87.21% 12.32%

Mayor before election

Martin O'Malley
Democratic

Elected mayor

Martin O'Malley
Democratic

In 1999, Baltimore citizens voted to move mayoral elections to take place in presidential election years, effective with the 2004 elections. However, primary dates in Maryland can only be set by the General Assembly, which refused to move the primary to 2004.[1] As a result, while the primary took place on September 9, 2003; the general election took place 14 months later, on November 2, 2004.[2] Democratic incumbent Martin O'Malley was reelected, but only to a three-year term rather than the usual four-year term.

It would be 2012 before the General Assembly finally agreed to move municipal elections to coincide with presidential elections, effective in 2016.[1]

As of 2020, O'Malley is the last mayor of Baltimore to win re-election to a second full term.

Nominations

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Democratic primary

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2003 Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin O'Malley (incumbent) 59,569 66.61%
Democratic Andrey Bundley 28,551 31.93%
Democratic A. Robert Kaufman 667 0.75%
Democratic Marvin Ray Jones 348 0.39%
Democratic Charles U. Smith 288 0.32%
Total votes 89,423

Republican primary

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2003 Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Elbert R. Henderson 2,504 100.00%
Total votes 2,504

General election

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Baltimore City Mayoral General Election, 2004[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin O'Malley (incumbent) 173,030 87.21%
Republican Elbert R. Henderson 24,445 12.32%
Democratic Frank M. Conaway (write-in) 926 0.47%
Democratic Charles U. Smith (write-in) 4 0.00%
Total votes 198,405
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b Annie Linskey; Julie Scharper (April 2, 2012). "Next Baltimore election delayed for 1 year". The Baltimore Sun.
  2. ^ "2003/2004 Baltimore City Election". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "2003 Baltimore City Primary Election Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  4. ^ "2004 Mayoral General Election Official Results". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 6, 2019.