Ex-NAACP chief makes announcement in wake of Sarbanes' decision not
to seek sixth term
The Associated Press
March 14, 2005, 11:51 AM EST
Former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume said in a statement today that he
will run for the U.S. Senate in 2006.
"It is with great pride and deep humility that I announce to you
today my candidacy for the Senate of the United States," Mfume said
in a three-page statement made available to reporters at a news
conference in Baltimore.
Mfume, who was a five-term U.S. congressman before becoming president
of the Baltimore-based National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, issued the statement after incumbent Paul S. Sarbanes
announced that he will not run for re-election.
"This is step one in what will be an embarrassment of wealth for the
Democratic Party in 2006," said Derek Walker, spokesman for the
Maryland Democratic Party.
Sarbanes, 72, announced Friday that he would not seek a sixth term,
noting that he would be 80 by the time that term ended.
"It was just the right time," Sarbanes said. "We think we've served
long and well and honorably, and we're very comfortable with this
decision."
Mfume was a U.S. congressman before he left the House in 1996 after
five terms to become president of the Baltimore-based National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Many observers say
that he repaired the historic civil rights organization during his
nine-year tenure.
When he became head of the NAACP, the group was in turmoil -- rocked
by an embarrassing sex scandal involving its previous head, bitter
internal strife and a crippling $3.2 million deficit. Mfume brought
credibility and stability, working with former chairwoman Myrlie
Evers-Williams and current chairman Julian Bond to institute
corporate style-management practices.
When Mfume left, the organization had enjoyed a budget surplus for
eight consecutive years and an increasing endowment fund. Membership
was a half million, spread throughout 48 states.
Mfume is a Baltimore native whose adopted West African name
translates to "conquering son of kings."
He began his career as a dashiki-clad radio talk show host and
political activist in the 1970s. He transformed himself into one of
the nation\'s foremost civil rights leaders with a reputation for
bridge-building, moving from the Baltimore City Council to Congress
to the NAACP.
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press
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--------------------------------------~->",1] ); //-->eight consecutive years and an increasing endowment fund. Membership
was a half million, spread throughout 48 states.
Mfume is a Baltimore native whose adopted West African name
translates to "conquering son of kings."
He began his career as a dashiki-clad radio talk show host and
political activist in the 1970s. He transformed himself into one of
the nation's foremost civil rights leaders with a reputation for
bridge-building, moving from the Baltimore City Council to Congress
to the NAACP.
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press
