Rain Pryor Vane, actress and daughter of the late Richard Pryor, has officially filed to run for Baltimore City Council in 2020, writes The Baltimore Sun.

Pryor, who submitted paperwork on her 50th birthday Tuesday, indicated she is running as a Democrat. The writer is looking to unseat first-term Councilman Ryan Dorsey, who she claims does not listen to the needs of his constituents regarding the city's crime rate. 

"It's kind of, 'My way or the highway,'" Pryor said of the incumbent's mentality.

In response to her filing, Dorsey said Thursday that he welcomes Pryor's competition, as well as third Democratic candidate Nichelle Henson.

"I welcome Ms. Pryor, Nichelle Henson, and anybody else who may join the field, and look forward to campaigning on my record of legislative accomplishments and service to the constituents and communities I represent," the Baltimore native said. 


Pryor says her interest in public office began when she witnessed her daughter being the subject of tormenting and harassment at her elementary school in 2017. The conflict with school administrators served as a catalyst for her to officially enter the race. 

"I'm listening to the people who have lived here for generation after generation," the author said. "We need to keep them here and invite new people to come and stay in our community."

Born in Los Angeles, Pryor relocated to Baltimore in order to avoid the "Hollywood craziness" that came with being the child of a celebrity. Per the Sun, she was influenced by an anecdote on Maryland written by Octavia Butler, a late science fiction author. 

The Democratic primary is scheduled for April 28, 2020. 

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