 Stokes announced his candidacy in December 1998 . Bell announced his candidacy two days after Mfume passed on running , in May 1999 , promising to tackle crime and improve public safety . Community leaders who attempted to draft Mfume into the race began to back Stokes . Other declared candidates included Mary <unk> , the City Register of Wills , activists A. Robert Kaufman , Robert <unk> , and Phillip Brown . <unk> stated that without Mfume in the race , she would consider running , but she opted against getting into the race . 
