“I am honored and delighted to announce that after careful consideration with an exploratory committee and residents, I am entering Baltimore’s 2020 Mayoral race,” Rikki Vaughn said.
Vaughn says that Baltimore is in need of aggressive and immediate actions to turn the city around.
“Baltimore does not need this on-going, repetitive leadership, it needs up-to-date leadership. We need a real vision, real direction, and real action to make our City better for all. Each campaign cycle, we are promised positive change while only settling for more of the same. It is now time to empower the people of Baltimore to restore our dignity, our hope, our collective family,” Vaughn said.
Born and raised in Baltimore City, Vaughn was a minimum wage worker at McDonald’s, a high school dropout at 16, and father at the age of 17.
“Today I am the CEO of my own company, operating national brand restaurants in eight states across the nation. I am a Magna Cum Laude graduate from a HBCU, honors graduate with my MBA, and now, a candidate for PhD,” Vaughn explained. “As you can see, I did not let how I entered the race determine how I was going to finish it. It is the values of Baltimore that propelled me to my success and my commitment to serving.”
Vaughn didn’t like that the President of the United States tweeted about Baltimore.
“He called our city, rat and rodent infested. He called it disgusting. He absolutely did his best to embarrass us, and our leadership. However, I know Baltimore is so much more. The greatest city in America deserves more respect, more credibility and more dignity on a national level,” Vaughn said.
Baltimore City is a crucial and significant part of the American legacy and heritage, according to Vaughn.
“For me, I am proud of Baltimore’s contribution to the nation and to the world. But I know we can do better. Aim for higher heights,” said Vaughn who as a Democratic candidate vows to uphold Baltimore’s values and maintain its integrity.
“I will listen and represent all. We are one family, united by our beautiful city. We succeed when we work together and understand that one person’s success is the success of us all. If I can turn my life around, with the help of God, family, and community, there is no limit to what our city can accomplish when we understand that our best days are ahead of us. The time for the same leadership, the same approaches, and the same mottos is over. If we did it before, we will do it again,” Vaughn said. “My platform will be completely based on creating a better Baltimore that uplifts us all, empowers us all, and reinstates the dignity that we deserve. I ask that you humbly join me on my mission to serve Baltimore, as it has served me. I know that Baltimore is great. It is time that we remind the world of that greatness. I am running to give Baltimore City what it deserves— respect, love and peace.”