Brandon Scott (politician)
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| Brandon Scott (politician) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Brandon Scott |
| Office | Mayor of Baltimore |
| Term start | 2020 |
| Predecessor | Bernard C. "Jack" Young |
| Birth date | 1984-04-08 |
| Birth place | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
Brandon Scott (politician) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who serves as the mayor of Baltimore. He previously represented the 2nd District on the Baltimore City Council and served as Council President. Scott's tenure has focused on public safety, economic development, and workforce initiatives amid challenges related to crime, housing, and public health in Baltimore.
Early life and education
Scott was born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in the Pigtown neighborhood near Federal Hill and Southwest Baltimore. He attended Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and later enrolled at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he studied political science and communications. During his youth he was involved with local organizations in West Baltimore and youth programs connected to institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and community centers around Baltimore County.
Early career and community involvement
After college, Scott worked on campaigns and in local offices, including roles with members of the Maryland General Assembly and municipal officials. He served as a staff member for the office of State's Attorney for Baltimore City and engaged with nonprofits tied to community organizing and neighborhood revitalization. Scott participated in initiatives alongside groups such as the NAACP, the Urban League, and youth advocacy programs that cooperated with agencies like the Maryland Department of Human Services and local branches of the AmeriCorps network.
Baltimore City Council
Scott was elected to the Baltimore City Council representing the 2nd District, which includes sections of West Baltimore, Downtown Baltimore, and surrounding neighborhoods. On the Council he worked with colleagues from districts including representatives tied to the Baltimore City Public Schools system, the Baltimore Police Department, and state leaders in the Maryland General Assembly to address zoning, affordable housing, and public safety policies. Scott was elected Council President, succeeding leaders who had ties to figures such as Catherine Pugh and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and he collaborated with municipal departments, redevelopment authorities, and financial institutions like the Economic Development Corporation of Baltimore to pursue investment and workforce training programs.
2020 Baltimore mayoral campaign
Scott launched a mayoral campaign for Mayor of Baltimore that culminated in a competitive Democratic primary amid a field that included incumbents and challengers with connections to City Council members, state legislators from the Maryland Senate, and local business leaders. His campaign emphasized reform of the Baltimore Police Department, investment in neighborhoods impacted by disinvestment tied to historical policies such as redlining handled by actors like the Federal Housing Administration, and partnerships with philanthropy connected to institutions like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and local foundations. Scott won the Democratic primary and the general election in a city long dominated by the Democratic Party, succeeding interim and prior administrations and engaging with federal agencies including the Department of Justice on consent decree matters affecting policing.
Mayor of Baltimore
As mayor, Scott has overseen municipal operations involving the Baltimore City Council, the Baltimore Police Department, and agencies responsible for public works and housing such as the Department of Housing and Community Development (Maryland). He has negotiated with unions representing municipal workers, worked with the Maryland Transit Administration and regional partners like Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County on transit and infrastructure projects, and coordinated emergency responses alongside the Maryland Emergency Management Agency during public health and weather crises. Scott's administration has sought federal support from members of the United States Congress representing Maryland and engaged with statewide officials including the Governor of Maryland on cross-jurisdictional initiatives.
Political positions and initiatives
Scott has prioritized public safety reforms that interact with the Baltimore Police Department, community policing stakeholders, and oversight structures including civilian review boards. On housing, he has pursued affordable housing projects in coordination with developers, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and nonprofit housing advocates such as Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Economic initiatives under his leadership have targeted workforce development partnerships with institutions like Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to expand job pipelines in healthcare and technology sectors. Scott has also emphasized public health collaborations with the Baltimore City Health Department, substance use treatment providers, and federal programs administered by agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address overdose and pandemic response. In criminal justice, he has engaged with prosecutors, defenders associated with the Baltimore Public Defender, and legislative stakeholders in the Maryland General Assembly on sentencing and diversion programs.
Personal life and recognition
Scott maintains ties to Baltimore community organizations, faith-based institutions, and civic groups that include neighborhood associations and youth mentoring programs. He has received recognition from local civic organizations, advocacy groups, and labor unions for leadership on urban issues and collaborative initiatives with philanthropic entities such as the Abell Foundation and professional networks connected to municipal leadership programs. Scott's public profile has led to appearances with state and national leaders, and he continues to work with partners across government and nonprofit sectors to address Baltimore's long-term challenges.