Ex-White House Advisor Nate Loewentheil Running for House of Delegates

The son of the owner of the now-defunct Mencken's Cultured Pearl restaurant, Nate Loewentheil is running for the House of Delegates in the 46th District. (Photo Provided)

Nate Loewentheil is a Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates for the 46th District in Baltimore City. Loewentheil was born and raised in Southwest Baltimore — his father, Stephan, owned the long-defunct but well-remembered Mencken’s Cultured Pearl restaurant on Hollins Street — and today he lives in the Patterson Park area.

From 2013 to 2017, Loewentheil worked for the National Economic Council under the Obama administration. Among his tasks was running the White House Taskforce for Baltimore City. He also developed the President’s Clean Transportation Plan and led the President’s Build America Investment Initiative.

Jmore recently caught up with Loewentheil, 32, a graduate of the Park School, Yale University and Yale Law School.

Jmore: Why should voters in the 46th District cast their ballots for you?

Loewentheil: Baltimore City is facing a historic wave of crime and violence that is costing hundreds of lives, driving people into their homes and shutting down businesses. In thousands of conversations across the 46th District, I’ve heard the message loud and clear — make our streets safe. Our state delegates have done nothing to address crime and violence.

As a delegate, I’ll be laser-focused on public safety. I’ve put forward a four-part plan: take immediate steps to address street crime and gun violence by expanding beat policing and putting up more streetlights; strengthen and reform the Baltimore Police Department; fund community safety programs, especially after-school programs; and refocus our justice system on violent criminals.

What are the three most important ways to decrease crime in the city?

In the long term, we have to address the underlying factors driving crime in Baltimore, like poverty and segregation. But in the short term, we need immediate and direct action. We have to deter would-be criminals, rebuild trust in the police department and make our city safe block by block. As part of my four-part plan, I’ve put forward a number of creative new ideas including:

  • Tying expanded state funding for beat policing to rapid implementation of the Department of Justice consent decree.
  • Launching a new statewide “community safety block by block” grant program that will fund installation of streetlights, community watch programs and other grass-roots crime reduction strategies.
  • Expanding the city’s public lighting by creating a new Public Lighting Authority that consolidates management and planning for the city’s streetlight inventory. It is currently maintained by three separate city agencies and by [Baltimore Gas & Electric], with no central planning.

How can Mayor Catherine Pugh be more successful in managing the city?

I respect Mayor Pugh’s leadership and commitment to Baltimore. I encourage her to focus on putting strong people around her to manage the city — and vetting them carefully.

Why should a man or woman join the BPD rather than another police department?

Joining the Baltimore Police Department offers a chance to make a difference. I have a friend who says that Baltimore is the best place in the world to change the world. Addressing crime and violence and strengthening relationships between the police and the community are the building blocks for Baltimore’s future.

Do you think life in the city will improve soon?

Change in Baltimore is coming from the ground up. There are amazing people all across the city doing amazing things — entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders and activists. Too often, they are making progress in spite of the government instead of with the government. I want to make sure that these people have the support they need to build a brighter future for Baltimore.

Where will funds come from to help the city with its problems?

There is a deep reservoir of goodwill for Baltimore around the country that our city needs to tap into. When I was at the White House, I saw this firsthand as banks, foundations and major national corporations stepped forward to help the city after the 2015 unrest. That’s why I’ve launched Baltimore Homecoming to re-engage our most natural audience — people who grew up, lived, worked or got their start in Baltimore. From Oct. 3-5 of this year, we’ll bring back 100 of these alumni from around the country for a whirlwind tour of the city’s economic, artistic and educational landscape, encouraging new investment and partnership. The program is based off of Detroit, which has mobilized $240 million in investment for that city over the past four years.

Why should intelligent, hardworking young men and women care about, even move into, the city?

Baltimore is attracting more and more millennials because it offers a combination of culture, affordability and opportunity. The city is small enough to get to know your community quickly but big enough that there’s always someone new to meet. It’s small enough to get big things done quickly but big enough that you can have a real impact.

Peter Arnold is an Olney, Md.-based freelance writer.

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