Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, with new fiancee, welcomes first child

The most widely anticipated baby in Baltimore has arrived, and yes, he’s really named Charm.

Charm Jamie Scott, son of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and his fiancee, Hana Pugh, was born Dec. 26.

“Last night, we were blessed with the healthy and safe arrival of baby Charm,” Scott said in a statement. “Both Hana and Charm are doing great, and we are very excited for this next chapter in our lives. I’m looking forward to the new adventure of being a dad and continuing the work ahead to keep building the Baltimore that Charm — and we all — deserve. Thank you to everyone who has sent love and well wishes.”

Scott and Pugh got engaged on Christmas, according to the public overview section of Scott’s Facebook page.

The mayor, 39, caused a social media stir in July when he made a surprise announcement via a joint social media post with Pugh that he was expecting his first child. The post also marked the public debut of Pugh and Scott’s relationship which began sometime after September 2022 when they met at the Charm City Live music festival.

“Baltimore Baby Charm is on the way and will be arriving Winter 2024,” the pair mused at the time on social media. “Will Charm be a boy or girl?”

The child was a boy as it turned out, and was in fact to be named Charm, a nod to Baltimore’s Charm City moniker.

Charm’s arrival comes amid a reelection campaign for Scott, a first term Democrat. Scott faces past rival former Mayor Sheila Dixon as well a independent-turned-Democrat Robert Wallace. The Democratic primary is May 14.

The arrival of Charm is a rare glimpse into Scott’s life outside City Hall. First elected to Baltimore City Council in 2011, Scott, who grew up in the Park Heights neighborhood, has kept his life beyond government largely private during his time in office. His parents, who also live in the city, made an appearance at his November campaign announcement. The mayor also has a small dog, Lord Grogu, who stars in his own Instagram page with several thousand followers.

Pugh, who has no relation to former Mayor Catherine Pugh, is a native of Northeast Baltimore and a graduate of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, according to a profile on the website for Bmore Empowered. Pugh is listed as operations director for the group which provides programming for Black girls and women in the city.

Pugh has a son from a past marriage.