By Stella Canino and Mayah Nachman
Prince George’s County Democratic voters will head to the polls to elect their county executive nominee on March 4.
Eight Democrats are vying to win the nomination for the special primary election after Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won her U.S. Senate race in November. Tara Jackson, who was previously the county’s chief administrative officer, serves as the acting county executive.
Prince George’s County Council chair Jolene Ivey, a Democrat, withdrew from the county executive race earlier this month.
Early voting for the special primary election is from Feb. 26 to March 3.
Here’s a look at the eight Democrats running for the seat. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Read more about the Republican candidates here.
Rushern Baker III
Rushern Baker III served as Prince George’s County Executive from 2010 to 2018. He told The Diamondback that his past experience will help him address county-wide issues more effectively during the shortened term.
“In these critical times, you need somebody that actually knows what they’re doing immediately and can hit the ground running,” Baker said.
Baker said one of his primary goals is to improve public safety across the county. On his website, he touted his 2012 Transforming Neighborhood Initiative, which gives resources to six areas in the county with high violent crime rates.
Baker highlighted that he will prioritize education funding and work to mitigate the impacts of President Donald Trump’s administration on county residents.
Aisha Braveboy
Aisha Braveboy is the Prince George’s County state’s attorney after previously serving in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2015.
Braveboy said she decided to run for county executive because she wants to implement policies to reduce crime across the county.
[How to vote in the Prince George’s County special primary election]
“I really want to be in a position where I can make a real difference in the lives of people so that they are less likely to commit offenses,” Braveboy told The Diamondback.
In addition to addressing public safety, Braveboy said she wants to bring “hope and opportunity” to the county by improving accessibility to public services such as education and healthcare.
Braveboy also hopes to invest in local businesses and restaurants to provide higher-quality dining and retail options.
Marcellus Crews
Marcellus Crews is the owner and managing director of the construction company CREWSING Technologies.
Crews told The Diamondback that if elected, he would use his business and technological knowledge to expand development opportunities and revive the county’s workforce. He plans to develop more retail and commercial spaces.
“I want to create the Silicon Valley right here in Prince George’s County,” Crews said.
Crews also wants schools to provide more certification and apprenticeship opportunities for students to begin working earlier, he said.
Calvin Hawkins II
Calvin Hawkins II has served as an at-large Prince George’s County Council member since 2018 and was council chair in 2021 and 2022.
Hawkins told The Diamondback he plans to improve the public school system, enhance the county’s economic development portfolio and strengthen public safety.
As county executive, Hawkins said he intends to work with Prince George’s County Police to use advanced technology to improve public safety. If schools and communities are safer, more businesses will want to open within the area, Hawkins explained.
“My goal and my candidacy is all about people, touching people and letting out citizens know I actually care enough for them to do the right thing by them,” Hawkins said. “I won’t disappoint them.”
Ron Hunt
Ron Hunt, a Washington, D.C., night club owner, helped lead the Citizens Advisory Committee to Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police, according to his website. The council gives public safety recommendations to police from community members, according to its website.
Hunt plans to prioritize school safety, improving senior housing and healthcare’s affordability and strengthening public safety through community policing, his website said.
Hunt did not respond to The Diamondback’s interview request.
Moisette Tonya Sweat
Moisette Tonya Sweat is an attorney and managing member for Sweatism Consulting LLC. Sweat said she previously worked in former President Barack Obama’s administration, where she drafted policies to ease the impacts of the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009.
Sweat told The Diamondback she is running for the seat because of her dissatisfaction with the county’s public school system, citing the lack of improvement after her efforts as a Parent Teacher Association member.
[Meet the candidates for Prince George’s County Council’s District 5]
“If we continue electing the same faces and the same people, we don’t open our minds to the opportunity for something new, Sweat said.
She plans to prioritize keeping the Washington Commanders in the county and redevelop vacant areas around Northwest Stadium for tourism and economic growth.
Albert Slocum
Albert Slocum is a financial professional for Slocum Life LLC. He has also served on the Prince George’s County Board of Realtors’ legislative committee.
Slocum told The Diamondback he wants to focus on economic development by attracting corporations in the financial, healthcare and technology sectors to increase the commercial tax base. This would lower the residential property tax on Prince Georgians, he added.
He also aims to create a regional vocational–technical high school to give students the opportunity to work in various trades and technical fields.
To improve public safety, Slocum plans to invest more in robotic technology to reduce crime and protect officers.
Alonzo T. Washington
State Sen. Alonzo Washington (D-Prince George’s) represents District 22 after previously serving in the Maryland House of Delegates for more than a decade.
Washington hopes to increase affordable housing by overhauling the county’s permitting, inspections and enforcement agency and streamlining housing development programs, according to his website.
He plans to expand the county’s healthcare workforce and hospital capacity. Washington also wants to increase mental health services for students and families and address health disparities for women of color, his website said.
Washington did not respond to The Diamondback’s interview request.
