ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Defense attorney Ivan Bates is now running unopposed for Baltimore state’s attorney.
That's after unaffiliated candidate Roya Hanna announced Friday she was withdrawing from the race, a week after Bates defeated incumbent prosecutor Marilyn Mosby in the Democratic primary.
I want to extend my thanks to independent candidate @ElectRoyaHanna for endorsing me. I am officially Baltimore’s next State’s Attorney.
— Ivan Bates for Baltimore City State's Attorney (@ivanjbates) July 29, 2022
After a tough, nine month campaign since my announcement, I look forward to setting up my transition team and making Baltimore safe for all. pic.twitter.com/mfJRXRV9e4
Baltimore is heavily Democratic, and there is no Republican candidate running for the office.
Bates says he now can focus on how to improve the state’s attorney’s office “so that day one we are prepared to hit the ground running.”
Violent crime has been especially troubling in Baltimore in recent years.
There have been more than 300 homicides in each of the past seven years.
