News

Prince George’s Special Election Lineup Set — And the Lineup is Long

March Special Primaries Will Offer Voters Dozens of Choices in County Executive and Council District 5 Races

Prince George’s County voters are gearing up for a highly competitive special primary election on March 4, 2025, with an unusually large number of candidates vying for key positions in the county government. A total of 12 candidates have filed for the county executive position, while another seven are competing for the vacant County Council District 5 seat.

The winners of these races will go on to face off in a special general election on June 3. The State Board of Elections recently moved the general election date from May 27 to June 3, allowing more time for local election officials to process ballots and ensure a smooth voting process. Early voting for the special primary election will be held from February 26 to March 3, with polling hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., except for Sunday, March 3, when polls will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The county executive race is drawing attention, with several high-profile Democrats entering the contest. Former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, At-Large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey, and state Sen. Alonzo Washington are all in the running. Four other Democrats—Marcellus Crews, Ron Hunt, Albert Slocum, and Tonya Sweat—are also seeking the seat, alongside three Republicans: George E. McDermott, Jesse Peed, and Jonathan White.

George's County special election

What’s at Stake: The County Executive Position

The county executive seat became vacant following the resignation of former County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who won a U.S. Senate seat in the November 2024 elections. Alsobrooks is set to be sworn into the Senate on January 3, leaving the position open for the special election. In the interim, Tara H. Jackson, the county’s chief administrative officer, has stepped in as acting county executive. However, Jackson has made it clear that she does not plan to run for the position permanently.

With a competitive field of candidates, the race for county executive is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the region. The winner will be responsible for overseeing the county’s government operations and completing the remaining two years of Alsobrooks’ term.

For the five high-profile Democrats in the race, this special election offers a chance to make their mark on the county’s political landscape. Rushern Baker, who served as county executive from 2010 to 2018, is looking to make a return to the position, while Aisha Braveboy brings her experience as the county’s top prosecutor. Calvin Hawkins, Jolene Ivey, and Alonzo Washington all have deep ties to the county council, where they’ve worked on a range of issues important to residents.

In addition to these familiar names, the three Republican candidates face a more challenging path. While George McDermott, Jesse Peed, and Jonathan White have all run for office before, Prince George’s County is known for its Democratic lean, with the majority of voters registered with the Democratic Party.

District 5: A Packed Race for County Council

The District 5 seat, which includes the municipalities of Cheverly, Fairmount Heights, and Glenarden, is also drawing considerable attention. This seat became vacant after Jolene Ivey resigned to run for one of the two at-large county council seats, which she won in a special election. Ivey’s departure left the District 5 seat open, and now seven candidates are competing for the opportunity to represent the area.

Six of the District 5 candidates are Democrats: Shayla Adams-Stafford, Theresa Mitchell Dudley, Kendal Gray, Ryan Middleton, Kayce Munyeneh, and Christopher Wade. Fred Price Jr., a Marine Corps veteran from Cheverly, is the sole Republican running for the seat. While Price’s chances of securing the nomination are strong within the Republican Party, his path to victory is expected to be tough in a county where Democrats dominate the electorate.

The winner of the District 5 race will serve the remaining two years of the term, with the election also serving as an important test of the political landscape in one of Prince George’s County’s key districts.

What’s Next for Prince George’s?

The special election in March will not only determine the future leadership of Prince George’s County but could also set the stage for broader political shifts in the region. With both the county executive and council seats up for grabs, the stakes are high as candidates look to shape the direction of one of Maryland’s most populous and diverse counties.

Voters will have the chance to weigh in on key issues affecting the county, from economic development to public safety, education, and housing. As early voting approaches, candidates will ramp up their campaigns, hoping to secure the support needed to win their races in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive election.

Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *