The Baltimore Sun confirms this morning that Jamal Bryant is running for Congress:
West Baltimore pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant announced Monday he will run for Congress — seeking the seat held by Rep. Elijah Cummings.
In a statement released early Monday, Bryant said, “After prayer, soul searching and long deliberation, I am officially announcing my candidacy for Congress of the United States representing the 7th Congressional District.”
Bryant, pastor at Empowerment Temple, will make a formal announcement at a 10 a.m. event in West Baltimore.
“After the Freddie Gray uprising, the proliferation of police brutality across this nation, the lack of jobs, widespread poverty and hopelessness throughout our urban areas, I decided that leading a successful congregation and building a great church is not enough,” Bryant said in a statement. “I want to contribute to public policy in Washington.”Cummings hasn’t set forth a plan for 2016 yet, but he is considering a run for Senate. He’s served in Congress since 1996, representing about half of Baltimore and portions of Howard County. A spokesperson for Cummings did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The other shoe - Cummings’ intentions - has yet to drop, but I have to believe it will fall imminently. Bryant is very closely allied with Cummings, and do I doubt that he is engaging in a protest candidacy. Most likely he’s stealing a march on any other candidates by declaring for what will be an open seat before that knowledge becomes public.
