Field of Candidates for County Executive, District Five Candidates Announced
(BOWIE, MD – December 25, 2024) – The official field of candidates for both the County Executive and District 5 Council special elections has been established, as the filing deadline passed on Dec. 20 at 9 p.m. Both big signs
and yard signs are now popping up around the County to raise awareness of the impending election and to elevate the name recognition of candidates. Both primary elections will be held on March 4 while the general election will be moved to June 3, following a decision by the State Board of Elections.
State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey, former County Executive Rushern Baker, County Councilmember At Large Calvin Hawkins, State Senator Alonzo Washington, attorney Tonya Sweat, small business owner Marcellus Crews, and real estate agent Albert Slocum are all competing in the Democratic primary for County Executive, while Central Committee Member Jesse Peed and former candidate for Council At Large Jonathan White are competing in the Republican primary. Acting County Executive Tara Jackson did not file, and
she will serve as the County Executive for the next six months.
An early poll sent by the Ivey campaign showed Ivey and Braveboy in the lead for both existing favorability and likely support in the upcoming primary. However, this poll did not include several current candidates, including Senator Washington.
Baker reported over $75,000 in fundraising on Dec. 20, while Ivey, Hawkins, and Braveboy held public events to announce their candidacies and promote their platforms. Baker plans to campaign on his experience and readiness for the position on his first day back in office, Washington intends to focus on integrity and government accountability, Braveboy emphasizes her record on safety and service in the County, and Ivey plans to focus on quality housing development and maintaining the County’s balanced budget.
Ivey was endorsed by Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D- District 7), while Braveboy was supported by County Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (D- District 8), and Washington was endorsed by Delegate Ashanti Martinez (D- District 22).
Board of Education Member Shayla Adams-Stafford, CountyStat Director Ryan Middleton, Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh, Cheverly Councilmember Christopher Wade, Maryland State Education Association Vice President Theresa Mitchell Dudley, and former County Council chief of staff Kendal Gray are the Democratic candidates in District 5. Longtime Cheverly resident Fred Price Jr. is the sole Republican candidate and will advance to the general election.
District 5 includes Bladensburg, Cheverly, Glenarden, Colmar Manor, and parts of Glenn Dale.