Endorsements
Originally published September 04, 2010
AFRO's Primary Endorsements for Baltimore City and County, and Maryland
BALTIMORE CITY
State's Attorney, Baltimore City
Patricia Jessamy
In the race for Baltimore City state's attorney, Gregg Bernstein has distinguished himself as the main opponent of incumbent Patricia Jessamy. In part, he has done this by saying the state's attorney's job is "to prosecute and convict people who commit a criminal offense."
We believe this is too narrow a definition.
Another would be the ways the state's attorney's office impacts at-risk communities before a court appearance in needed.
Patricia Jessamy does not have a narrow definition of the job of state's attorney and the community has benefited from her service. One of her more impressive projects is the Youth Development Fund – funded by donations from various agencies and individuals – designed to provide money to organizations, institutions and individuals to assist in providing activities and character/virtue training to impact youth and prevent their getting into trouble.
This has not diminished her focus on crime. A look at her incarceration numbers for each of the last three years show that better than 58 percent of the total number of people incarcerated in the state have come from Baltimore City.
Her influence is not limited to Baltimore either. She is working to build a statewide coalition on gangs. The goal is to create standard validation criteria to make dealing with the problem more effective.
For these reason, we believe Patricia Jessamy is better for the city of Baltimore and endorse her as the Democratic canidate for th office of state's Attorney.
Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO Unions 
"Please be advised that on July 15, 2010, meeting of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO Unions, the officers and members voted to endorse your candidancy for Baltimore City State's Attorney. We extend our best wishes for a successful campaign, and look forward to working with you when you are elected."
Ernest R. Grecco, President
" Pat Jessamy is one of the strongest States's Attorneys I've ever know."
Mary Pat Clarke, Batimore CityCouncil, 14th District
“I am giving my unqualified, enthusiastic support to the re election of Pat Jessamy as States Attorney of Baltimore City. She has an outstanding legal mind, is accessible, hard working and willing to try new things.”
Senator Nathaniel McFadden, 45th District and Chair of the Baltimore City Senate Delegation
“State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy has been a diligent and respected leader in Baltimore’s fight against crime. I proudly support her re-election”
Senator Catherine E. Pugh, 40th District
“Pat Jessamy has my strong support in the race for re-election as States Attorney of Baltimore City”
Senator Verna Jones, 44th District
“As a public defender, I see the courts close up on a regular basis. Pat Jessamy understands our communities and has been creative and tenacious in prosecuting crime. She has my full support”
Senator Lisa Gladden, 41st District
“I am proud that Pat Jessamy is the States Attorney of Baltimore-my City. I intend to do everything possible to assure that she continues in that role. It is important to have someone who understands the context of crime in Baltimore.
Senator Joan Carter Conway, 43rd District
“A prosecutor must be able to understand the dynamics that drive crime as well as the legal system that punishes it. Pat Jessamy has been able to successfully bridge that gap and to dramatically reduce the crime rate.”
Delegate Talmadge Branch, 45th District
“What I love about Pat Jessamy is that she understands the connection between getting the truly bad guys off the streets and developing programs to give the minor offenders a way to become productive citizens again. It is her creativity and willingness to look at new things and to rethink things that do not work that sets her apart from being just a prosecutor.”
Delegate Shirley Nathan Pulliam, 42nd District
“Pat Jessamy has been a tenacious and skillful crime fighter for the citizens of Baltimore City. She has come to the legislature time and again gaining new initiatives to fight crime and to make Baltimore a better place. Crime has decreased in the City because of her efforts.”
Delegate Curt Anderson, 43rd District and Chair of the Baltimore City Delegation
“Pat Jessamy is one of the best things that I love about Baltimore City. She understands how to attack crime at its root and is not afraid to ask members of the legislature to understand her world. I am proud to support her.”
Delegate Nathaniel T. Oaks, 41st District
“As vice chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, I have worked with Pat Jessamy to prevent crime and to provide tougher penalties for gang members who have broken the law. I endorse her reelection.”
. Delegate Sandy Rosenberg, 41st District
“I get to see Pat Jessamy and her prosecutors up close and personal in the courthouse on a daily basis. She is bright, tenacious and creative. I strongly support her for re election as States Attorney.”
Sheriff John Anderson, Baltimore City
“Law and order. Law AND order. That’s what the steady hand of Pat Jessamy has brought us over the 15 years she has been in office.”
Frank Conaway, Sr., Clerk of the Circuit Court, Baltimore City
“We need to retain Pat Jessamy as Baltimore’s States Attorney. She has been a great partner in reducing crime in Baltimore and the moderating hand in keeping the system fair.”
Bernard C. “Jack” Young, President, Baltimore City Council
“I admire and appreciate Pat Jessamy. She has consistently stood up for what is the best crime fighting strategy for our City. I am strongly supporting her.”
Agnes Welch, Baltimore City Council, District 9
“Pat Jessamy is a woman and leader who I am proud to call a mentor. Every waking hour is spent trying to solve criminal justice issues in Baltimore City. She works hard with communities and other elected officials to come up with ways to take dangerous people off of our streets and to create long term solutions to crime. The fact is that she has significantly reduced crime and I heartily endorse her for re election”
Helen Holton, Baltimore City Council, 8th District
“Patricia Jessamy is a public servant we can be proud of. Pat doesn’t make decisions based on popular opinion or whichever way the wind is blowing. She follows the law and her goal is to keep the public safe and informed. In the race for Baltimore State’s Attorney the choice couldn’t be any clearer to me. Patricia Jessamy is experienced, tested and tough – all the qualities we need in a prosecutor.”
Carl Stokes, Baltimore City Council, 14th District
“In the years that Pat Jessamy has served Baltimore City as the States Attorney, she has been strong on crime. She has demonstrated that being tough also means having a heart for the victims. Pat Jessamy balances the fight against crime with support for the victims of crime. This is evidenced in her efforts to raise public awareness about services as well as raising funds that directly benefit victims of violent crimes. She has fought in Annapolis for tougher laws that benefit hard working citizens. Ms. Jessamy has also spent years working directly with at risk children in an effort to deter them from the penal system. Patricia Jessamy is a tireless fighter on ALL fronts for the citizens of Baltimore City”
Belinda Conaway, Baltimore City Council, 7th District
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