At-Large Special Election Nears, More Endorsements Debuted
In the final week leading up to the Prince George’s County Council at-large special election, more endorsements are being announced as candidates work to engage with constituents.
Candidates responded to a policy questionnaire sent out by Our Revolution-Prince George’s to determine their position on the Public Election Fund, the costs associated with new school construction, and the need for At-Large seats to exist on the council.
Keisha Lewis withdrew from the race but will still be listed on printed ballots.
Bowie Mayor Tim Adams pledged to fully fund the public election fund, which he called “overdue,” and said that he would support an audit to review the costs of the ongoing public-private partnership to build new schools in the county.
Adams has received endorsements from County Councilmembers Tom Dernoga (D-District 1), Wala Blegay (D-District 6), and Krystal Oriadha (D-District 7). He has hosted several meet-and-greets across the county with his endorsers.
“I am proud to endorse Tim Adams for County Council At Large. I know he aligns with the same values I do: centering the community first over special interests,” said Councilmember Oriadha in a video. “He understands that our seniors need more resources and that our youth need more activities to reduce the rise in youth crime we’ve seen. We need quality development inside the Beltway.”
Adams also attended multiple meet-and-greets hosted by his endorsers.
Tamara Davis Brown stated interest in abolishing the at-large seats and voiced support for maintaining the council’s current two-term limit and implementing additional tax credits for senior residents.
“I do like that we have seats on the council that are not parochial in nature and the councilmembers should be looking out for the entire county, not just a specific district,” read Davis Brown’s response. “However, considering how and why the seats were created in the first place, which I vehemently opposed at the time, I have no problem with doing away with the two seats and saving taxpayers money.”
Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D-District 5) sent a mailer denoting endorsements from many Maryland leaders, including Rep. Congressmen Glenn Ivey and Steny Hoyer (both D), and featuring a quote from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) citing Jolene as “one of her strongest partners in delivering results for Prince Georgians.”
Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee and the Prince George’s Young Democrats hosted a forum on July 23 and the Collington Retirement Community hosted a forum on July 25. The final forum prior to Election Day will be held at Reid Temple in Glenn Dale starting at 11 AM on Aug. 3, and is hosted by the Prince George’s NAACP.
The first forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters, is available here.
Sens. Cardin and Van Hollen, Congressman Ivey Secure Infrastructure Funds
At West Hyattsville Metro Station, Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) presented a check for $1.6 million for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Water. This funding includes $1.38 million for flooding control in the Port Towns region of the Anacostia River Watershed, $500,000 for pedestrian, safety, and environmental upgrades, and $959,000 to connect low-income homes to public sewage lines.
The Maryland representative and senators were joined by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D), Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke, and WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia Powell to receive the check.
“I want to thank our incredible federal delegation. We’ve been in so many press conferences as of late, because they’ve brought back literally hundreds of millions of dollars,” said County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “Part of what I love about Senator Cardin is his quiet, efficient way. He is constantly delivering without fanfare. We owe you a debt of gratitude, and we are already seeing the products of your work.”
Alsobrooks spoke of the rising prevalence of flooding in the Port Towns area from the Anacostia and how it disproportionately impacts low-income and majority-minority communities.
“We could not have asked for a better partner than Angela. She always looks to the future and these investments all look towards the future. The goal here is to make investments now, that will help the future,” said Van Hollen during the press conference.“I also want to second what Sen. Cardin said about Congressman Ivey: he’s new but he didn’t wait to get involved to help his constituents, including in the appropriations process. I’m glad you’re there!”
Van Hollen also lauded a federal investment of nearly $150 million that Cardin helped to maintain, which is helping to grow deliberately designed transit-oriented developments.
“This funding will help to add bike trails and make areas more pedestrian friendly. I don’t just think of Metros as a place to come and go; I also think of these as places that communities grow, and we’re now seeing that growth.”
Ivey thanked Van Hollen and Cardin for their work in the Senate.
“It’s been a giant step forward for the community. I remember talking with friends about an empty field and a parking lot years ago. It’s amazing to see the growth. The maestro of this public-private partnership has been our County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, our next senator. Keep up the great work!”
In addition, on July 9, Van Hollen, Cardin and Ivey announced over $25 million to upgrade Prince George’s County’s bus transit system and support the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040. This funding is being provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Ivey said this move will be beneficial to Marylanders and people nationwide, and help address racial disparities.
“Improving air quality with low and no emissions transit vehicles is a great step in the right direction for cleaner air in densely populated areas. Disparities in air pollution disproportionately affect communities of color and lower-income commuters because of hazardous carbon dioxide exhausts of heavy vehicles,” Rep. Ivey said in a statement. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is critical to providing better, more efficient, and cleaner transit options for Marylanders and folks across the country.”