Democratic candidates for Baltimore mayor spent $8 million

BALTIMORE (AP) - The top six Democratic candidates running for Baltimore mayor spent about $8 million during the primary season.

The Baltimore Sun reported Monday that candidates faced an elongated race because the coronavirus pandemic had pushed primary day from April 28 to June 2.

Restrictions intended to protect people also made grassroots campaigning difficult. That meant candidates had to rely more on pricier strategies, such as television ads.

And yet the top two finishers were among the thriftiest.

Brandon Scott drew 43,927 votes and spent $984,000. That amounted to about $22 per vote.

Sheila Dixon drew 40,782 votes and spent $742,000. That amounted to about $18 per vote.

Others spent more. They include Mayor Jack Young. He drew 9,256 votes and spent $1.4 million. That amounted to $151 per vote.