2-10-2025 12:15am

Voter Guide: Prince George's County Executive Special Election

Catherine Hollingsworth Editor

Photo: cottonbro studio

DEMOCRATS

Rushern Baker, former Prince George's County Executive

Baker did not respond in time for the voter guide deadline. His responses will be included if he chooses to respond before early voting begins.
For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Aisha Braveboy, Prince George's County State's Attorney

Aisha Braveboy, Prince George's County State's Attorney

Age: 50

Residence: Upper Marlboro

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

I’m proud of earlier service, and most proud of delivering historic crime reduction for county residents in homicides, carjacking, and intimate partner violence, and for having positioned the office for success after me by launching three results-oriented units — The Narcotics Intelligence, Firearms, and Digital Evidence units.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

"I will not raise taxes."

I will not raise taxes.
My focus will be strengthening our finances, expanding our commercial tax base, and supporting local businesses and keeping county residents.
I will prioritize county services with a government that is available and responsive, a top-notch school system, well-maintained streets, a focus on the needs of seniors, and a permitting system that works.
Realizing development around our Metro stations will attract first-time homebuyer professionals and families.
We must confront the $171 million budget deficit. I know how to partner with our federal and state partners and how to ask for what we need. And I will be a true partner with our school board and our county council; we cannot serve as a divided government.

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

I will audit spending to make sure county resources are being allocated in the county’s best interests.
Prince George’s taxpayers are committed to a first-class education system where they’ve invested fully 62% of the county’s general funds budget. We can only benefit from what we learn from the state’s audit of school budgets.

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

Labor:

International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, (IUPAT, District Council 51)
Laborers International Union of North America (LIUANA)
Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters)
Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO

State:

Sheriff John D.B. Carr
State Senator C. Anthony Muse, District 26
Delegate Mary Lehman, District 21
Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, District 21

County councilmembers:

Wala Blegay, District 6
Krystal Oriadha, District 7
Edward Burroughs III, District 8

Municipal mayors

Tim Adams, Bowie
Linda Monroe, Capitol Heights
Kelly Porter, Seat Pleasant

Municipal police chiefs:

Chief Tyrone Collington, Bladensburg
Chief Linwood Alston, Mount Rainier
Chief Darryl Morgan, Capitol Heights
Chief Marcus Jones, Brentwood
Chief Eric Beale, Edmonston
Chief Regis Bryant, Glenarden
Chief Anthony Rease, Forest Heights
Chief Standford Moore Jr., Fairmont Heights

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Marcellus Crews, Business Owner

Marcellus Crews, Business Owner

Age: 53

Residence: Upper Marlboro

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

I was honored to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Joe Biden for my dedication to service. Our efforts have included building churches and schools, raising $6.6 million to combat homelessness, and organizing bone marrow drives, which resulted in two life-saving matches within the Black American community.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

"By prioritizing economic and workforce development, the county has the potential to lead the nation in education while creating a seamless pipeline to high-paying jobs for its workforce."

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

I believe our county faces significant challenges with waste and underperformance. One of the greatest losses occurs when projects are started but left unfinished, highlighting a critical area in need of improvement. Accountability is missing!

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

I’m working with the Baltimore County Leaders and Citizens, and Black Leaders of Maryland to name a couple.

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Calvin Hawkins, At-Large County Councilmember

Calvin Hawkins, At-Large County Councilmember

Age: 63

Residence: Upper Marlboro

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

Over my 30 years in government in Prince George’s County, I have shaped or led many significant advancements including the National Harbor, the Purple Line, and the 14 new schools that have been built over the past six years.
I was county council chair during the pandemic, and I passed legislation that allowed businesses to stay open, spared renters from being evicted, and expanded access to quality health care for seniors.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

We will take the tax burden off homeowners and bring more commerce to Prince George’s County.
My administration will take a public health approach to tackle the root causes of crime like poverty, social exclusion, and education.
We will work to ensure schools are safe and modern with robust support for educators and students through ongoing professional development and resources.
We will work to ensure those who are often overlooked have what they need to thrive, including seniors and veterans.

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

After 30 years in government, including as a county councilmember passing a balanced budget every year, I know fiscal responsibility is arguably the most important part of being the county executive. I will use my experience working with county departments to find operational cuts that will not impact the delivery of services to our residents.

"We also will have to use reserves to close the current deficit. But this is not sustainable — we have an urgent need for commercial tax revenue so that we stop balancing the budget on the backs of homeowners."

As county executive, I will focus on expanding our commercial tax base through economic development at the community level, including the construction of new town centers in underserved neighborhoods.
I will also prioritize the recruitment of high-value businesses in sectors that support federal agencies located in Prince George’s, such as technology and cybersecurity companies.
By combining fiscal responsibility with targeted economic development, we will protect our AAA bond rating for development that supports the future needs of our rapidly growing county.

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

I am proud to be endorsed by U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and state Sen. Nick Charles.

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Ron Hunt, Business Owner

Ron Hunt, Business Owner

Age: 63

Residence: Mitchellville

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

Worked with police department, seniors and children in the Arthur Cappers Carrollsburg community in D.C. 20 years.
Worked with D.C. councilmember Sharon Ambrose and the citizens advisory committee to the police department. Also rewrote laws for the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis control division during that time period.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

Stop violence on our educators and secure all schools
Affordable housing and health care for our seniors
Add more police officers and help rewrite laws for our police department. Our police officers are acting as janitors. Meaning, they only arrive after something happens. There must be more community policing. Believe me, if elected, I will get the job done.

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

"This so-called budget is completely out of control due to frivolous and wasteful spending. This will not be tolerated if I’m elected."

My main priority is getting the budget under control by locating the allocation of monies, trimming the fat and halting wasteful spending. I’m not a politician and will not allow this nonsense to continue!

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

Please go to my website, scroll to the bottom. You will see everything there. Ronhuntforpgcounty.com

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Albert Slocum, Business Owner

Albert Slocum, Business Owner

Age: 55

Residence: Landover

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

I have been involved with putting out fires and being a part of solutions, following through with neighborhood complaints regarding lack of street lighting or involvement with neighborhood watch on crime.
I have sat on ministries and nonprofit boards, being that conduit to legal support and fundraising to help feed and provide clothing to thousands of underprivileged and underserved families throughout the year.
As a professional in financial education and retirement planning, I helped thousands of Prince George’s County employees with retirement solutions and readiness.
Proudly served on Prince George’s County Association of Realtors Legislative Committee advocating for homeowners and real estate professionals.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

Within my first 12 to 18 months, implement an economic and crime reduction plan:

proposing legislation on zoning and floor area ratio,
establishing a central business district, attracting larger corporations,
building commonsense development that supports existing and future community benchmarks,
retention of teachers’ initiatives,
hiring more public safety employees,
improving economic growth,
blueprint for curfew protocols and enforcement,
deploying the workforce and local market partnership initiatives, which will focus on vocational and technical training and job security by giving Prince Georgians first right of refusal,
funding from county proprietary ventures and partnerships will help cover underperforming and underbudgeted areas, such as educational initiatives and quality living for seniors.

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

A review of the county’s budget will help identify many areas where funding is needed, including the appropriation of funds to avoid cannibalization of certain program spending by reconstructing or converting buildings into public schools to cut costs for optimal utilization.

Education and public safety are two of the highest budgetary items. For instance, I recognize that new developments in schools have been incorporated into the 2025 budget, which accounts for a significant amount of debt.

"To alleviate some costs, converting existing buildings into schools will positively impact our overall budget."

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

I am involved and working with alumni groups, business networks, local fraternity chapters, men’s groups, and church ministries.

I’m endorsed by local business owners, church and business leaders, corporations, and fellow Prince Georgians, including teachers, public safety professionals, human resource development practitioners, financial professionals, blue- and white-collar professionals, and medical and legal professionals … putting people over politicians!

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Moisette Tonya Sweat, Attorney and Air Force Veteran

Moisette Tonya Sweat, Attorney and Air Force Veteran

Age: 52

Residence: Accokeek

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

In 2016, I led the effort to reestablish the PTSA chapter at Oxon Hill High School. During my tenure as president, Oxon Hill High School was named a National PTA School of Excellence. I understand the PTSA of Oxon Hill High School continues to thrive and has grown to over 100 members. It is a testament that parents want to be engaged in their children’s education and only need a safe and welcoming space.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

"I hope to make local government more transparent and accountable to the people."

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

It is unclear to me just how the county is spending. I intend to obtain an audit of county finances to help get a handle on spending. I suspect much of the county’s revenue is pledged to repay municipal bonds after education and public safety is covered.

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

Maryland Forward and Town Councilmember Todd Mullins of Morningside are on my team.
I also have the support of volunteer firefighters in Prince George’s County.
I am a life member of the South County Economic Development Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Alonzo T. Washington, Maryland State Senator

Alonzo T. Washington, Maryland State Senator

Age: 41

Residence: Greenbelt

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

As state senator and delegate, I have secured record funding for public education, affordable housing, and economic development throughout the county. Some of these accomplishments for our community include:

Providing tuition-free community college to PGCPS [Prince George’s County Public Schools] graduates
Bringing the FBI Headquarters to Greenbelt
Creating $1,000 tax breaks for Maryland seniors
Building six new PGCPS schools, with several more on the way
Creating the Affordable Housing Investment Trust Fund

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

I’m running for county executive because our county is headed in the wrong direction.

I’ll increase community policing, expand child care and pre-K, and stop new gas stations, smoke shops and liquor stores.
I’ll also fix the 311 system and make sure the county senior tax credit actually works.
I will be a transparent, accountable, and accessible leader that our community can trust.

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

We need to take a hard look at every area of county government.

Our seniors and working families are being taxed without receiving adequate services in return. My administration will be responsive and proactive to ensure community members receive professional, high-quality service from county agencies.
In terms of reducing costs, I will look at reducing overtime pay for PGPD [Prince George’s County Police Department], which was one of my public safety recommendations to the county executive in 2020. Instead, we will invest in community-oriented policing to build trust between residents and law enforcement, and reduce violent crime.

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

"Our campaign is endorsed by everyday residents, not out-of-touch politicians."

For more information: Watch a replay of a candidates forum.

REPUBLICANS

George McDermott, Judicial Accountability Advocate

McDermott did not respond in time for the voter guide deadline. His responses will be included if he chooses to respond before early voting begins.
For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Jesse Peed, Business Owner

Jesse Peed, Business Owner

Age: 65

Residence: Upper Marlboro

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

Married to his high school sweetheart for 40 years, raising their children, and building a life rooted in family and community values.
Owns and operates a small business, where he has gained firsthand insight into the challenges facing small business owners and residents in Prince George’s County.
A member of the Republican Central Committee for 12 years and is serving his third term as chair.

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

Concerns for our county:

Protecting civil liberties
Strengthening education
Ensuring fiscal responsibility
Fighting corruption
Promoting accountability
Championing small businesses

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

"A forensic audit should be done on the county budget to highlight any waste, fraud, and abuse."

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

Family, friends, and others are volunteering to elect Jesse as a leader to fight for our freedoms, ensure accountability, and deliver results that will benefit every corner of the county. Website: jessepeed.com, email: jessepeed@yahoo.com

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

Jonathan White, Air Force Veteran

Jonathan White, Air Force Veteran

Age: 51

Residence: Upper Marlboro

What have you accomplished for your community that makes you most proud, as a public servant, leader, or advocate?

With 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and public service, I have worked to improve Prince George’s County.
As co-chair of the Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee of Prince George’s County Public Schools (SECAC-PG), I focused on enhancing outcomes for students with special needs.
I have also volunteered as a coach and mentor, helping young men develop character, discipline, and leadership. Additionally, I have supported initiatives related to public safety, parental rights in education, road improvements, litter removal, and senior citizen support.

"My work prioritizes people over politics in the decision-making process."

What do you most hope to accomplish during your first term?

As a first-term county executive my first-term goals are:

Strengthening public safety: Increase law enforcement support, improve training, and add more officers and firemen
Enhance education: Work with parents, teachers, and the community to prioritize students’ needs and respect parental rights
Fix the basics: Address infrastructure issues like road repairs and litter removal to ensure a cleaner, safer environment
Fiscal responsibility: Eliminate wasteful spending, increase transparency, and focus on essential programs benefiting residents
Support vulnerable populations: Expand resources for seniors and improve access to critical services

As we face a county budget crisis, are there any areas where you feel that county government is overspending? If so, please specify.

Addressing overspending in county government is essential to resolving our budget crisis and ensuring that taxpayer funds are utilized efficiently. To address the county’s budget crisis, I will focus on:

Administrative overhead: Streamline operations and eliminate redundancies
Nonessential programs: Reevaluate initiatives that lack measurable impact
Inefficient contracting: Audit procurement to reduce inflated costs and inefficiencies

Who’s on your team? Please list endorsements and any community groups in which you have a leadership role.

My campaign is driven by residents and grassroots supporters who share my vision. I aim to earn the trust of individuals and organizations aligned with my priorities. Formal endorsements from community leaders and advocates will be announced soon, emphasizing my commitment to “PEOPLE, first.”

Together, we can restore integrity, accountability, and transparency to Prince George’s County leadership.

For more information: Watch a candidates forum.

This voter guide is jointly published by The Bowie Sun and Streetcar Suburbs News.

Candidates have been listed alphabetically by party affiliation. Their responses have been lightly edited for publication formatting and style.