If Mark Parker wins the Democratic primary for a Baltimore city council seat, he'll be the city's first openly gay lawmaker.
The 42-year-old pastor, who says he's "personally and professionally dedicated" to public service, is running in Baltimore's 1st, 12th, and 13th districts, where he says the city has "neglected and functionally abandoned" large swaths of land, the Baltimore Sun reports.
"No city has ever thrived," he says.
"Now is the time to come alongside engaged and visionary community leaders with the resources and the functional government systems necessary to renovate vacant properties, add new housing, increase homeownership, clear up trash, renew parks, provide for public safety, and strengthen public education."
Parker, who says he's run for office before but didn't win, says he wants to "stabilize and renew communities throughout East Baltimore," where he says there's a "real opportunity to stabilize and renew."
He says he wants to see more affordable housing built, and he wants to see the city's police and fire departments work more closely with the mayor's office.
If elected, Parker says he'd like to see the city's current system, in which
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