By: Melody Simmons

State Sen. Catherine E. Pugh will hold a fundraiser Thursday morning at Gertrude’s at the Baltimore Museum of Art – but the perennial city pol is being coy about dishing whether she is eyeing a run for the mayor’s job.

Pugh, a former city councilwoman, member of the House of Delegates and now serving her second term in the state senator representing District 14, said Wednesday of the mayor’s post: “I have been asked by several people to give it full consideration.”

As for now, she added, she is keeping the General Assembly session—opening Jan. 12—as the center of her attention.

“I haven’t said anything yet,” she said about a run for CEO of Baltimore. “I am honestly focused on the senate because I’ve got a whole bunch of legislation to introduce. I’ve got a lot on my plate now. I will assess things toward the end of the session.”

Pugh did opine that Baltimore needs more “energy, vision and creativity” to lead it into the future. She declined to evaluate the job of current Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, saying she has been focused on statewide elections instead.

“The city needs committed leadership to galvanize and bring folks to the table and move the city forward,” she said in a brief interview late Wednesday morning.

When the General Assembly does convene, Pugh will have her hands full. She’s the newly elected vice chair of the city delegation, vice chair of the Women’s Caucus, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and deputy majority leader of the senate.

“I am focused on dealing with specific things, so I guess that’s the reward of working hard,” she said of the new responsibilities.

About 40 supporters are expected at Gertrude’s beginning at 7:30 a.m. to nosh on breakfast foods and meet with Pugh. Tickets to attend are $250, $500, $1,000 and $2,500. It is Pugh’s fourth fundraiser at the swanky eatery in north Baltimore, held around this time each year.