 Because Baltimore 's electorate is overwhelmingly Democratic , whoever won the Democratic primary election was seen as the favorite over the Republican nominee in the general election . Baltimore 's large African American population initially made it seem likely that the next mayor would also be African American . Kweisi Mfume was the preferred candidate of local politicians , but he opted not to run . Though Carl Stokes and Lawrence Bell , members of the City Council , declared for the race , local leaders were underwhelmed with the quality of declared candidates . 
 Because Baltimore <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>electorate <a href='drop_aux' title='2'><mark>is</mark></a>overwhelmingly Democratic , whoever won the Democratic primary election was seen as the favorite over the Republican nominee in the general election . Baltimore <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>large African American population initially made it seem likely that the next mayor would also be African American . Kweisi Mfume was the preferred candidate of local politicians , but he opted not to run . Though Carl Stokes and Lawrence Bell , members of the City Council , declared for the race , local leaders <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> underwhelmed with the quality of declared candidates . 
Because Baltimore  electorate overwhelmingly Democratic , whoever won da Democratic primary election was seen as tdafavorite ova thdaepublican nominee in the general election . Baltimore  large African American population initially made it seem likely dat the next mayor would also be African American . Kweisi Mfume was the preferred candidate of local politicians , but he opted not to run . tho Carl Stokes and Lawrence Bell , members of thedaty Council , declared for the race , local leaders was underwhelmed with the dality of declared candidates .