[Editor’s note: This is a profile of the race for the open District 3 Prince George’s County Council seat. Although not all candidates could be reached for comment, all responsive candidates will be featured with equal space in a voter’s guide appearing Monday.]
Nine candidates hashing it out for one District 3 Prince George’s County Council seat have brought the type of political intensity typically reserved for state and federal races, some observers have said.
A huge amount of money has been raised for the campaign, and many have said the election could change the face of the council – already seen as smart-growth proponents eager to take on business-friendly County Executive Jack Johnson, himself waged in a fierce political battle.
Sitting District 3 Councilman Tom Hendershot has resisted joining with the more liberal members of the all-Democratic council, but is vacating his seat due to term limits.
All the candidates met in a forum at the New Carrollton Municipal Center last night to voice their platforms to an audience of 25 area residents.
Issues ranging from public transportation to education and constituent services were touched on by candidates, all with nearly indistinguishable goals, but with varying methods of achieving them.
Most county council issues are not relevant to students, candidate and College Park City Councilman Eric Olson said, as issues like higher education funding, tuition increases and textbook costs are handled in Annapolis by the legislature.
“I’ll fight any budget cuts like I have on the city council, but as far as direct [involvement], that’s really at the state level,” Olson said. “To the extent I can, I will be an advocate for students.”
Student issues have never been a concern of candidate Flo Hendershot’s, who in earlier interviews had said though student civic engagement was important, students were “temporary citizens.”
Redevelopment of Prince George’s county is a key issue for the council, as the body makes most of the decisions regarding major construction and development projects. But most candidates tend to focus on the district as a whole rather than specific areas, such as College Park.
Both Olson and Coley have made College Park’s Route 1 a priority, and said revitalizing the downtown area and the crowded corridor as part of their platform.
“The older commercial areas along Route 1 and Route 201 need additional market incentives to continue spurring redevelopment growth,” Coley said.
Despite criticism that Hendershot is riding on her husband’s reputation, she says the fact that she is female and a teacher will resonate with voters.
“My husband has built a wonderful reputation, and I certainly wouldn’t deny that,” Hendershot said. “I’m 61 years old and have a professional reputation of my own. When men ask me that question, I usually ask them would they say the same thing if he were running to replace me.”
Hendershot also added that unlike the others, her lack of political ambition will make her the strongest candidate for the position.
“I’m not a professional politician,” Hendershot said. “This is the first time I’ve run for office, and this will be the last time I run for office. Citizens have said they want a citizen legislature, and that’s what I am.”
For other candidates like Olson and Ken Laureys, their defining factors lie in their experience and perspective on how to best improve Prince George’s County.
“I have vision,” Olson said. “I bring a fresh perspective on a lot of issues. I think outside the box, and I am willing to apply new ideas to longtime challenges.”
“My slogan is ‘Time for Change,’ and I tell people that if you like the way the county is, don’t vote for me,” Laureys said. “A lot of candidates will tell you this is a problem, but they won’t tell you how to fix it, … I am telling voters how I think we can fix the challenges that face us.”
Like the type of hard-fought races driven by big money, a flurry of fundraising by District 3 candidates has underscored the competitiveness of the primary race to fill the open seat.
Several front-runners have emerged from the pack, particularly College Park resident and city Councilman Eric Olson who has said he has raised nearly $75,000 in campaign contributions.
“Clearly having campaign funding helps the candidate to reach voters effectively,” Olson said.
For many candidates who did not solicit as many donations, Olson’s success was not met with high regard, many saying that money isn’t as necessary as many people make it out to be.
“Strategy’s more important than money,” said candidate Jim Wildoner, who, despite raising just $16,000, called Olson’s donations “pocket change.”
Laureys, on the other hand, who only raised $2,250, acknowledged that Olson’s money may give him an edge at the polls: “The people that have money to get their name and face out there usually win – I guess that’s the way our system is set up.”
And name recognition is what Olson said his funds have given him.
“It’s definitely allowed us to do some mailings we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do,” Olson said. “There is a lot of factors that go into things, but it helps to reinforce your message.”
Hendershot had $10,000 cash on hand as of Aug. 15.
Of the remaining candidates, Derrick Coley has raised just over $14,000 and James Henderson and Lee Walker have each raised less than $5,000. Campaign finance information for candidates T. D. Collins and Melvin Johnson was not available.
Contact reporters Steven Overly and Owen Praskievicz at overlydbk@gmail.com.
