By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer,
Report For America corps member,
tmcqueen@afro.com
Many know Ivan J. Bates as the Baltimore City State’s Attorney candidate, but that’s not all he is. He is the doting father of a 6-year-old daughter, London, and a husband to wife Lana Bates Ph.D.
As Bates avidly expressed, his wife and daughter are the main factors for his state’s attorney bid.
“I want to create a safer Baltimore for not only myself, but my daughter’s future,” said Bates to the AFRO in an endorsement interview.
Bates beat incumbent Marilyn Mosby in the July 19 Democratic primary. He went up against Mosby in 2018 but lost. Mosby won with 39,766 votes to Bates’ 22,619.
This time, Bates made a comeback with 34,684 votes compared to Mosby’s drop to 24,415.
Scandals and indictments hampered Mosby’s run months before the primary. Mosby faces two federal accounts of perjury and making false mortgage applications. This likely gave Bates the edge he needed to win.
He explained how he grew up as a “hard-headed” child, and by applying to the U.S. Army at 17. He gained essential life skills while serving with the 32nd Air Defense Artillery Command in Europe.
“It changed my demeanor,” said Bates. “I learned leadership, discipline, and hard work – that’s what I stand for.”
After the Army, Bates went to Howard University and graduated with Honors. Inspired by Justice Thurgood Marshall, he went to the William and Mary Law School and clerked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund in Los Angeles.
He moved to Baltimore in 1995 to take care of his aunt, who lived on W 20th St.
“I started my law firm practice from scratch,” said Bates. “I do state and federal cases all around the United States.”
He was a law clerk for Judge David Mitchell and worked as a prosecutor under Patricia C. Jessamy, from the City’s state’s attorney office.
Bates has 25 years of experience as a Lawyer. Bates and Garcia is the firm he founded upon leaving Jessamy’s leadership. He has led his own team for 15 years.
Bages said he plans to repeal Mosby’s “no prosecution” initiative due to his claims that prosecution is about accountability.
He also said he will take action against wayward law enforcement officers found violating their oath and the law.
“I have and will continue to fight against police corruption like I did against the Gun Trace Task Force, removing those in law enforcement who have violated their duty and positions of trust,” said Bates in a candidate statement.
He plans to focus on illegal gun ownership, users, and traffickers, as he claims illegal guns significantly contribute to violent crimes in Baltimore.
Bates said he understands that creating a safer Baltimore is a long-term feat, so as state’s attorney, he plans to urgently convict “violent repeat offenders” for a tangible difference.
The rebuilding of great collaboration between “public safety partners,” eradicating vacant homes, and alternatives to incarceration are also key concerns for Bates.
Mosby posted her admission to defeat on Instagram in July.
“This morning I called @ivanjbates to congratulate him on his victory in the Democratic primary for Baltimore City State’s Attorney,” said Mosby. “My office is completely prepared to facilitate a smooth and orderly transition to the new administration.”
Marilyn Mosby did not respond to AFRO’s attempts for comment.
Early voting ahead of the Nov. 8 Election Day will be from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3.
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