PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Prince George’s County residents braved the heat on Tuesday to decide who should serve on the county’s Council.
A spot on the Council opened up in June after Mel Franklin vacated his at-large position. Less than a week later, Franklin was accused of embezzling money from his campaign account since 2020.
Now 12 candidates are vying to fill the seat: eight Democrats and four Republicans.
The winners of the primary will then face off again in November’s election. The winner of that election will serve out the remaining two years of Franklin's term.
Meanwhile, supporters came out to make last-minute pitches for their preferred candidates, and make sure people know how important it is to get involved.
"I believe in my candidate,” said Delegate Andrea Fletcher-Harrison of Maryland’s 24th District. “When you believe in your candidate, hopefully, you will do everything you can do, in your power to ensure that your candidate gets across the line.”
“You have to participate in your own rescue,” said Margaret Dureke, who volunteered for one of the candidates running for the seat. “We’re here volunteering, we’re not getting paid to do this. We could be anywhere else, right? But we know that if everyone stayed in the same 'I don’t care,' then how do you expect the change to happen?”