1-17-2025 10:47pm

Save the dates: Hear from candidates in special election

Catherine Hollingsworth Editor

Photo: Edmond Dantès

SPECIAL ELECTION

For those distracted by the recent blast of snow, don't forget the fast-approaching special election March 4.

Save the dates for upcoming candidate forums, and remember to register to vote if you haven't already done so. Prince George's County residents will be voting on two vacancies, county executive and County Council District 5.

County executive: Now that Angela Alsobrooks has resigned from the county's top spot to take her seat in history as Maryland's first Black U.S. senator, the race is on for the next Prince George's County executive. Twelve candidates were seeking to take the helm before one withdrew just weeks before the election.

County Council District 5: At the same time, there is a special election in County Council District 5 where seven candidates are vying for that seat.

Key dates: Early voting in the special election primary runs from Feb. 26 to March 3, and election day is March 4. The winners of the primary races will run in the general special election June 3.

CANDIDATE FORUMS

Candidate forums: Leading up to the primary special election, several candidate forums and meet and greets have been planned across the county. Watch a replay or attend in person:

Jan. 8 - Facebook: Citizens for Accountability in Governance (CAG) - Former County Executive Rushern Baker
Jan. 15 - Facebook: CAG - County Council Chair Jolene Ivey and Tonya Sweat, lawyer and Air Force veteran
Jan. 23 - Facebook: CAG - County Council Member Calvin Hawkins
Jan, 26 - YouTube: Forum hosted by Central Coalition of Prince George's County.
Jan. 28 - Facebook: Town Hall hosted by Prince George's State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy.
Jan. 30 - Laurel: View forum on Facebook.
Feb. 1 - Glenn Dale: All candidates invited.
Feb. 4 - Fairwood: Braveboy meet and greet
Feb. 4 - Laurel - State Sen. Alonzo Washington meet and greet
Feb. 5 - Facebook: Debate hosted by South County Democratic Club
Feb. 6 - Fairwood: Baker meet and greet
Feb. 7 - Landover and virtual: Collective Empowerment Group candidates forum
Feb. 8, 9, 11 - University Park, Bowie, Glenn Dale: Washington meet and greet
Feb. 10 - Riverdale: Forum organized by Prince George's Provider Council
Feb. 13 - Bowie State: Forum organized by Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce.
Feb. 15 - Fort Washington: All candidates invited.
Feb. 17 - Upper Marlboro: Candidate meet and greet and forum
Feb. 20 - Lanham: Meet and greet hosted by the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce, $20 non-members
Feb. 27 - Largo: All candidates invited.
February - ABC 7: Candidate interviews (Ivey withdraws from the race as of Feb. 12).

VOTER GUIDES

Voter guide: By early February, The Bowie Sun and Streetcar Suburbs News plan to jointly release a voter guide to help residents make an informed decision in the upcoming special election.

Voting plan: Remember to have a voting game plan. Register to vote, mail your ballot or find your polling place and, of course, do your candidate research. For more information, go to the state board of elections website or 411.org.

Please leave a comment if you are aware of other candidate forums and meet and greets. This information will be updated as we learn of other candidate forums.