Odette Ramos Wins Primary Race, May Become Baltimore's first Latina Council Member
Odette Ramos, 47, won the Democratic primary race for City Council District 14. Her victory sets her up to become the city's first Latina elected official should she secure a victory in the general elections.
The Latina candidate declared a win on Tuesday afternoon after Joseph Kane II conceded to her in the morning. Kane placed second with 15 percent of the votes.
In a statement, the Puerto Rican said she is ready to start working, with plans to continue her tele-townhall series, informational emails, and search for solutions to fundamental issues.
She thanked the volunteers who labeled envelopes and hosted meet and greet events across District 14, campaign donors, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, and Delegate Maggie McIntosh, and her husband and their eight-year-old daughter. She also praised the other candidates who ran great campaigns and expressed important ideas aimed at improving the district.
If Ramos wins the general election in November, she will be sworn in on December 10th. Until then, She is expected to work with outgoing Councilwoman Clarke towards a successful transition.
Her years of experience in local advocacy, as well as fundraising efforts and a key endorsement from the outgoing councilwoman, strengthened her primary campaign. According to The Baltimore Sun, Ramos won over 65 percent of the vote. She is expected to run against Republican Charles Long in November.
Who is Odette Ramos?
The Puerto Rican Democratic candidate is a New Mexico native who moved to Baltimore in 1991 to pursue studies at Goucher College- serving as the student government president for three years. She graduated with honors majoring Social Justice.
She earned her Masters in Public Policy at Rutgers University and proceeded to work for Delegate Jim Cambell and U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski.
In 1997, she co-founded the Village Learning Place-a community-run library installed at the old St. Paul Street Library. She worked as the director for neighborhood programs for the Greater Homewood Community Corporation in 1998.
In 2005, Ramos founded her own consulting firm, Strategic Management Consulting, where she helped small businesses and nonprofits to become more efficient. As a consultant, she oversaw and developed a decade-long plan for the Hampden community.
In 2012, the new mom founded two playgroups in Charles Village and at the 29th Street Community Center.
The Latina candidate was elected to the Democratic State Central Committee in 2014. She represented District 43.
In 2013, she was hired as the Executive Director of the Community Development Network of Marylands. During her time with the organization, she implemented more affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and family stability policies. She still holds the position today.
Odette co-founded Baltimore Women United which aims to tackle issues around sexual harassment and assault. The volunteer women's group also aims to elect more women to public office, as well as activate women on topics such as family separation and violence.
Want to read more?
- WHO Retracts Comments on Asymptomatic Transmission Being Very Rare, Claims 'There's Much Unknown'
- Mexico's President Rejects COVID-19 Test Following Close Contact with Infected Aide
- Young Latino Inspires Groups to Aid Colombia
- Former Tijuana Official Arrested for Torturing Members of the Force, Another Suspect Remains At Large
- Bodycam Footage of Black Man's Arrest in Austin Shows Him Saying, 'I Can't Breathe' Several Times
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!