(PRINCE GEORGE’S, MD – December 22, 2024) – The special primary election to finish Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks’ term as Prince George’s County Executive was set by the County Council for March 4, and former County Executive Rushern Baker (D) and State Senator Alonzo Washington (D) joined the existing field of candidates who seek to lead one of America’s wealthiest Black-majority counties.
Acting County Executive Tara Jackson will lead in this role into June and does not plan to run for the seat. Prince George’s State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D- At Large), County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D), and attorney Tonya Sweat (D) have all previously confirmed their interest in seeking the seat. The filing deadline is Dec. 20.
“A lot of our residents have moved to the south, to Charles County. We were once the most affluent and educated African American county in the nation and probably the world. People have left the county because of public safety issues, crime and jobs, economic development and job creation,” said the former County Executive as he announced his campaign.
Baker’s campaign is pledging to address kitchen table issues that will likely become more salient as the Trump Administration’s agenda of cutting federal jobs and government spending, enacting mass deportations, and enacting tariffs against trading partners will likely worsen the regional economy.
“Those are things I can bring back here to the people. It’s always about the economy and jobs and job security. That’s what residents of Prince George’s County said to me: that they’re concerned with jobs and public safety. Baker also stated his experience makes him a candidate who will be ready to serve on his first day back in office.
“We don’t have time for any of the candidates who’d have to learn to be county executives. They’ve never done that job, and it’s completely different from being a legislator, which I was, being a lawyer, which I am, it’s a whole different animal, and you have to be able to do that job immediately. You need somebody on day one who understands the budget in the county, the agencies, and also understands the crisis we’re going to go through – the state has a budget crisis, the county has a $170 million deficit, we have crime issues that are arising,”
Baker was first appointed to the House of Delegates in 1994 and served in Annapolis until 2002 when he ran in a wide-open primary to replace legendary County Executive Wayne Curry, who ushered the County into a new era of leadership. Baker lost in the 2002 primary and unsuccessfully challenged then-Executive Jack Johnson in 2006. After winning in 2010, Baker pledged to clean up political corruption and added appointees to the Board of Education, a measure that ended earlier this year. If he wins the primary, he would be the only candidate that wouldn’t trigger a special election or appointment, a point he noted in his announcement.
State Senator Alonzo Washington (D- District 22), known for being an education advocate in Annapolis, announced for the seat on Dec. 11. He served on the Kirwan Commission, which established the Blueprint for Education. While legislators in Annapolis are generally prohibited from fundraising, he will be allowed to as this is not a state office.
“I’m very proud here today to announce to you all, on behalf of myself, my family, my wife, and my baby daughter standing right in front of me, I announce my candidacy for county executive of Prince George’s County,” Washington said in a social media post.
“The responsibility of leading Prince George’s County is profound and consequential, and I’m excited to lead a grassroots campaign that focuses on integrity and accountability. Our residents deserve nothing less.”
Ivey’s policy plans include new economic development, maintaining the County’s balanced budget, and hiring more police officers. Braveboy said she would prioritize housing costs, senior care, and public safety.
“Voters in Prince George’s County need to know that I am their voice. I grew up in this county, went to public schools here, and I am someone who not only is from here, but have the values of the community. The community will always be first in my administration,” said State’s Attorney Braveboy. ”
“I know there are concerns around crime. I have been working collaboratively with law enforcement partners, and I can tell you, as of today, crime is down, and carjackings, which have been a major focus of my administration, are down more than 30 percent -so we are headed in the right direction.”
Early polling placed Ivey and Braveboy in the lead for existing support and name recognition, although previous polls did not include Washington as a candidate. Hawkins is being supported by Senator Nick Charles (D- District 25), who attended his announcement and spoke favorably of the former Council Chair, his fraternity brother and longtime friend.
Delegate Ashanti Martinez (D- District 22) announced he is “all in” for his district’s Senator. The council also set the District 5 special election for May 4 with a May 27 general election to fill the seat that Councilmember Ivey was first elected to in 2018. Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh, CountyStat director Ryan Middleton, and former County Council chief of staff Kendal Gray have already announced their campaigns for the position. Board of Education Member Shayla Adams-Stafford, who lives in District 5, is planning a campaign announcement on Dec. 14. Adams-Stafford was endorsed by the Prince George’s County DSA.