Meet the candidates running for Mayor of Cambridge: Andrew Bradshaw
CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Cambridge voters will choose their next mayor come October. Three candidates are in the race, and this week WMDT is highlighting each individual, in alphabetical order.
Andrew Bradshaw
Andrew Bradshaw served as mayor of Cambridge between 2020 and 2022. Bradshaw is an active volunteer with Cambridge Fire Rescue company, a businessman, the co-chairman of the Train Garden, and a Vestryman at Old Trinity Church.
He’s also hoping to regain the helm.
“I think that subsequent to my leaving office, we’ve seen a stagnation on the part of the City in addressing many of these issues, especially with housing, especially with the Cambridge waterfront project,” Bradshaw said. “It’s time to get those processes moving forward.”
Campaign Priorities
Waterfront development has been a worry for the City, and Bradshaw says he’s ready to tackle it head-on. However, the pressure is on with the issues, as well.
Housing, in particular, is near the top of Bradshaw’s list. One idea—setting a standard for home conditions, and tiered rental registration.
“Those landlords who have their properties in the condition that we would hope they would be in are given the best opportunity to continue that,” said Bradshaw, “while those landlords who fail to do so are given the opportunity to correct, but when they do not, there is a penalty.”
Supporting Community
The City’s youth also need extra support, says Bradshaw. In the education arena, he believes new programming should be implemented. Namely, Bradshaw is hoping to see initiatives that connect middle and high school students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
“That’s going to be within both career opportunities, internship opportunities, and other areas that kind of show that impact [of disparity],” Bradshaw said.
However, it’s that exact diversity that Bradshaw says could be the key to the City’s future success.
“I think other communities can look to Cambridge and the way that we’ve been able to unite between communities. There were historically great divides in Cambridge,” Bradshaw said. “I think that with policies that have been set over the years, and also with the effort of the community, that the City could support [them] in a greater fashion.”
Legal Challenges
Perhaps Bradshaw’s biggest challenge though, will be regaining the trust of voters.
While previously serving as Mayor, Bradshaw was charged with 50 counts of revenge porn. He stepped down in 2022, eventually pleading guilty to five charges. Bradshaw was sentenced to suspended jail time, community service, probation, a payment to the victim, and fines.
“I’ve learned a lot from that,” Bradshaw said. “I think today is an opportunity for me to redeem myself for the people of Cambridge, and it’s an opportunity to move the City forward.”
Bradshaw added that he hopes voters will see those changes reflected within him.
“I would hope that people would look at me as a candidate—as the person I am today,” Bradshaw said. “And, certainly, the struggles and the triumphs that we experience in the past help shape where we go. Who I am today is not who I was then.”
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Bradshaw says he’s focusing on how he can help drive the City forward. And, he’s hoping voters will turn to him to get the job done.
“Moving forward, my goal is going to be as much about setting policy and developing policy, as it’s going to be about working with the rest of the council and getting their great policies moving forward, as well,” Bradshaw said.
The Cambridge mayoral election will take place on October 19th. WMDT will continue its series with the candidates on Wednesday and Thursday, where viewers will meet Lajan Cephas and LaShon Foster.
