PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Change is coming to Prince George’s County leadership.
November elections resulted in Angela Alsobrooks being named Maryland’s newest US Senate-elect.
But the victory also leads to another question: who will take over her seat as Prince George's County Executive?
So far, both of Prince George’s County At-Large Councilmembers Calvin Hawkins and Jolene Ivey have announced plans to campaign to take on the role.
On Monday, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy also threw her hat in the ring, releasing a statement that says in part, “Voters know that I'm unafraid of a challenge and that I seldom miss an opportunity. I'm grateful for the trust they've placed in me - having twice elected me State's Attorney. I'll present my case to them as I have in the past and ask them to place their trust in me again."
Former County Executive Rushern Baker also told WUSA9 that’s he’s considering a run for the seat.
Both Hawkins and Ivey say they’re ready to get to work to further Prince George’s County’s progress if elected. Hawkins points to the county’s four new schools as a strong foundation to improve education.
“Over the last six years, our test scores have gone up, student attendance is going up,” Hawkins said. “I’m prepared to make that a focus of my administration and keep building on that reality.”
Meanwhile Ivey says her number one priority is addressing crime.
“People need to be safe, they need to feel safe,” she said. “I know we need to focus more on our schools, and I have some ideas to make sure that people know about the great programs we already have, and implement some new things that will make people want to stay here and want their children to go to our county schools.”
But elections aren’t cheap.
Earlier this year, the county’s Board of Elections learned it would have to spend an estimated $1.3 million to hold a special election to fill the At-Large seat vacated by Mel Franklin.
Additionally, once Prince George’s County picks its new County Executive, voters still won’t be done with elections.
Another special election will have to be held to fill any vacancies in the State’s Attorney’s office or the Council, which already has a vacancy in District 5, since Councilmember Ivey won her at-large position last month.
However, the potential candidates say maintaining the democratic process is worth the investment.
“No one is more fatigued than I am,” Ivey said. “It might not be ideal to keep having special elections, what is much worse and more expensive in many ways is to have the wrong people in office.”
“How would the citizens feel about ten councilmembers deciding who will be there next county executive,” Hawkins asks. “Or would they prefer a special election where each of them will have an opportunity to have their voice heard through their vote?”