Former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume announced Monday that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2006. He will seek the seat being vacated by Sen. Paul Sarbanes, a Maryland Democrat. "My role is to give a new voice to the issues affecting everyday working men and working women and the families that they are a part of," Mfume said at a news conference in Baltimore. "My goal will be to build coalitions across racial, religious and ethnic lines, and to work to build those coalitions unapologetically." The 56-year-old Baltimore native spent five terms as a Democratic representative in the House before leaving in 1996 to head the NAACP. Mfume was credited with turning around the civil rights group, which was in deep debt when he took over. His predecessor, Benjamin Chavis, left the organization in disgrace in 1994 over charges that he used NAACP funds to quiet sexual harassment allegations against him. Mfume announced in November, that he was stepping down to spend more time with his family. Last year, he publicly clashed with President Bush, complaining during the election season that Bush had not addressed his group while president and had refused meetings. After Bush's re-election, Mfume met with him. Sarbanes announced Friday that he will not seek re-election in 2006. Mfume described himself as a "product of poverty" like many other Americans. Growing up in Maryland, he said, "I learned first-hand why hard work, decency and respect are important. "I can't be bought. I won't be intimidated. I don't know how to quit." [more]
- Last Monday, U.S. Rep. Albert R. Wynn, a well-known African-American leader from Prince George's County, said he would not seek the seat."