In a close runoff, Lajan Cephas defeats former Mayor Andrew Bradshaw for the Cambridge mayoral seat.
Cambridge voters rejected former Mayor Andrew Bradshaw’s attempt to return to office on Tuesday, choosing City Council President Lajan Cephas to lead the Eastern Shore city. With 787 votes (53%), Cephas triumphed over Bradshaw, who secured 697 votes (47%) in the highly anticipated runoff election.
The race marked the end of Bradshaw’s controversial bid to reclaim his former position. After a rocky departure in 2022, following charges of distributing revenge porn, Bradshaw’s political comeback faced considerable resistance from both the electorate and state officials. Cephas, a veteran council member who stepped into the mayor’s role temporarily following Bradshaw’s resignation, will now officially take the reins in January.
A Divided Election: Cephas vs. Bradshaw
The election’s close results reflect the deep divisions within Cambridge’s political landscape. Cephas, who served as the city’s acting mayor for nine months after Bradshaw’s resignation, emerged as the clear favorite after a tight first round of voting in October. Despite her lead, no candidate secured a majority, prompting the runoff.
Bradshaw, whose resignation came amid scandalous charges in 2022, was vying for a second term on the back of a platform focused on economic revitalization and waterfront development. His comeback bid was buoyed by significant support from the Republican side of the aisle, which raised eyebrows in the nonpartisan race.
Cephas, on the other hand, presented a vision of unity and economic renewal, emphasizing the need to address the city’s persistent racial and economic disparities. With Cambridge’s population comprising 47.4% Black and 38.19% white residents, race was undoubtedly a factor in the election’s outcome. The contest underscored the city’s struggle with a rapidly changing economic landscape and the challenge of bridging divisions while fostering growth.
In his concession speech, Bradshaw praised Cephas for her potential and stated, “She has the ability to be a great leader for the city.” However, for many, the damage done by his scandal proved too much to overcome, despite his attempts to portray himself as the city’s savior.
The Shadow of Scandal and the Role of Political Parties
Bradshaw’s attempt to return to the mayor’s office was marred by the lingering shadow of his 2022 resignation after being charged with 50 counts of distributing revenge porn on social media. His actions, which attracted national attention, were seen as an insurmountable barrier for many voters, despite his efforts to explain his past behavior and apologize.
The Maryland Democratic Party made its opposition to Bradshaw clear in the final days of the campaign, criticizing his behavior in the past and his support from Republicans in the city. A spokesperson for the state Democratic Party stated, “Andrew Bradshaw hasn’t explained how he’s changed from the man who catfished as his ex-girlfriend in a deliberate, sustained campaign of humiliation.”
This intervention by the state party drew attention to Bradshaw’s troubling past, yet there is little evidence to suggest that it had a significant impact on the final results. Cephas, running on a platform of economic development, racial equity, and community healing, was already viewed as a safer, more stable choice for mayor.
Political Implications and What’s Next for Cambridge
With Cephas set to be sworn in next month, the city will begin a new chapter under her leadership. Her focus on economic development, revitalizing Cambridge’s waterfront, and addressing historical inequalities has won her broad support. However, questions linger about the future of Cambridge’s economy and whether Cephas’ leadership will be enough to tackle the challenges that have plagued the city for years.
The race has also highlighted the growing influence of national politics on local elections. Although municipal elections in Cambridge are nonpartisan, the involvement of both the state Democratic Party and Bradshaw’s Republican backers underscores the increasingly partisan nature of local races. For Cephas, it was a clear sign that unity and local leadership mattered more to voters than party lines.
As the dust settles from a hard-fought campaign, all eyes will be on Cephas as she begins her term in office, tasked with addressing the pressing issues of economic development, racial equity, and city growth. It’s a difficult road ahead, but one that will be watched closely as Cambridge continues to evolve.
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