Brandon Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brandon Scott
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Scott in 2023
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| 53rd Mayor of Baltimore | |
| Assumed office December 8, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Jack Young |
| President of the Baltimore City Council | |
| In office May 6, 2019 – December 8, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Jack Young |
| Succeeded by | Nick Mosby |
| Member of the Baltimore City Council from the 2nd district |
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| In office December 8, 2011 – May 8, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Nicholas D'Adamo |
| Succeeded by | Danielle McCray |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Brandon Maurice Scott
April 8, 1984 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Hana Pugh
(m. 2024) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Frankford, Baltimore, Maryland |
| Education | St. Mary's College of Maryland (BA) |
| Signature |  |
Brandon Maurice Scott (born April 8, 1984) is an American politician. He has been the mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, since 2020. Before becoming mayor, he was the president of the Baltimore City Council from 2019 to 2020. He also served as a member of the Baltimore City Council from 2011 to 2019. Scott is a member of the Democratic Party.
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Early Life and Education
Brandon Scott grew up in Park Heights, Baltimore. As a child, he looked up to Congressman Elijah Cummings. Scott went to Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School. He ran track and cross country there. He graduated in 2002. In 2006, he earned a degree in political science from St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Political Career
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After college, Scott worked for City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. In 2011, he was elected to the city council for the second district. This made him one of the youngest people ever elected to a city office.
He led the Public Safety Committee. He also worked on committees for budgets and laws. In 2018, he helped pass a law for open data in Baltimore. This means the city shares more information with the public. As a council member, he also helped bring back council oversight of the Baltimore Police Department.
In May 2019, the Baltimore City Council chose Scott to be their president. He took over from Jack Young, who became mayor. Scott has also supported groups that work to prevent violence.
Mayor of Baltimore
Becoming Mayor
Scott announced he would run for mayor on September 13, 2019. He won the Democratic primary election on June 9, 2020. This victory almost guaranteed he would win the main election. In November 2020, he won the general election by a large margin.
Scott ran for a second term as mayor in 2024. He won the Democratic primary on May 14, 2024. He then won re-election on November 5, 2024. This made him the first Baltimore mayor since Martin O'Malley to win a second term.
First Days in Office
Scott became mayor on December 8, 2020. He was 36 years old, making him the youngest mayor in Baltimore's history. He promised to deal with gun violence and the coronavirus.
Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic
On his first day, Mayor Scott ordered restaurants to stop indoor and outdoor dining. He also limited how many people could be in stores, churches, gyms, and museums. He lifted Baltimore's mask mandate in July 2021. But he brought it back in August 2021 because infections went up. The mask mandate ended in March 2022.
In 2021, Scott worked with Governor Larry Hogan to encourage people to get vaccinated. He also partnered with local universities to share correct information about COVID-19 vaccines.
Crime and Safety
During his campaign, Scott aimed to reduce serious crimes. He wanted to understand how guns entered Baltimore. He also supported strategies to reduce violence. In 2022, he started the Group Violence Reduction Strategy. This program helps people who are likely to be involved in gun violence. It also focuses on community policing. This program led to a big drop in gun violence in one area. It is now being used in more parts of the city.
In 2022, Scott joined a group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns. He also launched the SMART initiative. This program helps police focus on serious crimes. It sends non-emergency calls to other services.
In 2022, Scott's office filed a lawsuit against a company that makes gun parts. The lawsuit said the company's products led to violence in the city. The case was settled in 2024. In 2023, after a shooting in the Brooklyn neighborhood, Scott spoke out. He called for stronger action against illegal guns. He also said people should focus on the shooters, not on those who recorded the event. Reports in 2024 showed that serious crimes were decreasing in Baltimore.
Housing Initiatives
In 2021, Mayor Scott helped homeowners avoid losing their homes due to unpaid taxes. He removed owner-occupied homes from the city's annual tax sale. In 2022, he removed all owner-occupied homes from the tax sale.
He also started a fund in 2021 to help low-income renters with security deposits. This fund helps people afford a place to live. In 2022, Scott announced that the city would buy two hotels. These hotels would provide 275 beds for people experiencing homelessness.
In 2023, Scott's team announced a plan to improve parts of the city with empty buildings. They also supported a plan to sell some vacant properties for as little as $1.
Guaranteed Income Program
In 2022, Scott announced a special program. It gives 200 young parents $1,000 each month for two years. This money helps them with their daily needs. The program started giving out funds in August 2022. People had to meet certain age and income rules to apply.
Transportation Projects
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In 2021, Scott said he wanted to restart the Red Line project. This project would build a new rail line across the city. It would help connect neighborhoods and create jobs.
In 2021, Scott also visited the Port of Baltimore with President Joe Biden. He said a new law would help rebuild America and create good jobs. In 2022, he started the "Let's Ride to Work" program. This program gives free rides to new workers to help them get to their jobs.
In March 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse happened. Mayor Scott was told about it right away. He focused on rescue efforts and received national attention for his response.
Personal Life
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Brandon Scott got engaged to Hana Pugh on December 25, 2023. Their first child was born the next day. They got married on August 11, 2024. In September 2024, they announced they were expecting a second child, a baby girl, who was born on March 8, 2025. Scott lives in Frankford, Baltimore.
Images for kids
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Brandon Scott's signature.
