Democratic mayoral candidate Melina Kennedy will leave her attorney job at law firm Baker and Daniels on Friday to begin campaigning full-time next month.
Kennedy, a former deputy mayor under Bart Peterson, announced her plans in an e-mail sent Tuesday afternoon.
“I have enjoyed my time at the firm and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work at such an outstanding organization,” Kennedy wrote in the e-mail. “I will always be grateful for the experience I've had at Baker and Daniels. “
Kennedy, who ran unsuccessfully for county prosecutor in 2006, is the presumptive Democratic challenger to incumbent Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican, next fall. Ballard, who was elected in 2007, formally announced his plans to run for re-election earlier this month.
Democrats Ron Gibson, a former City-County Council member, and Jose Evans, a current councilman, also intend to run and have established campaign committees. County Democrats will choose their nominee from the group in February.
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