On January 19, 2007, Mitchell returned to the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Laurens Street, one of the initial sites of his "Take Back the Streets" campaign, to announce his candidacy for mayor.
His campaign has focused on criticism of interim Mayor Sheila Dixon's leadership especially in dealing with escalating crime.
In a poll of likely democratic voters released by The Baltimore Sun on July 16, 2007, Mitchell trailed Dixon by 32% with less than 2 months remaining in the election.
It seems that crime is the main issue in Baltimore City, and Mitchell has been identified by many as being the only candidate able to quell the rising murder rate.
Accordingly, he was endorsed by the Firefighters Union, the Police Union (FOP), the Sheriffs Union, and Attorney General Doug Gansler.

On August 2, 2007, Keiffer Mitchell's father, who was the treasurer for his campaign, resigned after revelations that he was spending campaign money for personal use.
Some of the money was spent to stay his wife at a hotel after knee surgery, while other money withdrawn by checks payable to cash.
Maryland law prohibits spending campaign money for personal uses.
The younger Mitchell was forthright with the press about the issue, and expressed his disappointment.
He has since hired William D. Mulholland as the campaign's treasures.
Several days before the election the Mitchell family troubles again made headlines when Keiffer Mitchell's father publicly threatened to evict the campaign headquarters from an office building he owned.

On September 11, 2007, at 10:45 pm, Mitchell conceded defeat to Sheila Dixon in the democratic primary for Mayor of Baltimore City.
On January 19, 2007, Mitchell returned to the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Laurens Street, one of the initial sites of his "Take Back the Streets" campaign, to announce his candidacy for mayor. His campaign has focused on criticism of interim Mayor Sheila Dixon's leadership especially in dealing with escalating crime. In a poll of likely democratic voters released by The Baltimore Sun on July 16, 2007, Mitchell trailed Dixon by 32% with less than 2 months remaining in the election. It seems that crime is the main issue in Baltimore City, and Mitchell has been identified by many as being the only candidate able to quell the rising murder rate. Accordingly, he was endorsed by the Firefighters Union, the Police Union (FOP), the Sheriffs Union, and Attorney General Doug Gansler.
On August 2, 2007, Keiffer Mitchell's father, who was the treasurer for his campaign, resigned after revelations that he was spending campaign money for personal use. Some of the money was spent to stay his wife at a hotel after knee surgery, while other money withdrawn by checks payable to cash. Maryland law prohibits spending campaign money for personal uses. The younger Mitchell was forthright with the press about the issue, and expressed his disappointment. He has since hired William D. Mulholland as the campaign's treasures. Several days before the election the Mitchell family troubles again made headlines when Keiffer Mitchell's father publicly threatened to evict the campaign headquarters from an office building he owned.
On September 11, 2007, at 10:45 pm, Mitchell conceded defeat to Sheila Dixon in the democratic primary for Mayor of Baltimore City.
Keiffer Mitchell Jr.