Prince George’s County Council Considers Changing Special Election Process
Following the primary election victory by Prince George’s County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D-District 5) to finish former Councilmember Mel Franklin’s At-Large term, the Council is considering options to alter the special election process.
On Sept. 24, Councilmember Tom Dernoga (D- District 1) introduced a bill that would end special election primary elections and would instead implement a single, nonpartisan election.
“All our generals are either uncontested or very lightly contested, and we’re spending millions and millions of dollars for elections that don’t serve any significant purpose. It is also consuming tremendous resources from the Board of Elections’ staff,” said Dernoga.
The impending special election to fill the District 5 seat and the possibility of a special election to replace Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D), if she is elected to the Senate, are raising concerns given the County’s financial situation. The At-Large special primary election cost at least $1.3 million.
“We literally could be running elections constantly between now and November of 2026. So to save money and to save on the staff and to get these elections quicker, I’m proposing that we drop the primary and just go straight to a general election where all candidates are allowed to participate,” Dernoga said. “Independents, Republicans, Democrats, Green Party, Libertarian, anybody that wants in, can run the one-level, one-stage election.”
Dernoga’s bills are co-sponsored by Councilmembers Calvin Hawkins (D- At Large), Wala Blegay (D- District 6), and Edward Burroughs (D- District 8). Hawkins has previously announced his interest in running for the Executive seat once vacant.
County Councilmembers Wanika Fisher (D- District 2) and Ingrid Watson (D- District 5) have introduced two other bills that would require 100 days from the primary election to the general election, a bill they introduced to better comply with state laws on special elections.
Dernoga raised concerns with that timeline, as it could mean that the next County Executive may not be sworn in until after the next budget is adopted.
Former President Obama, The Washington Post Endorses Alsbrooks
With less than a month before Election Day, former President Barack Obama endorsed Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks in an ad that began circulating Oct. 4.
“In the Senate, Angela will fight for you. She’ll work to lower costs and lead the fight to protect our democracy and our freedoms. Control of the Senate could come down to Maryland,” said Obama.
Alsobrooks’ campaign has also touted endorsements from Vice President Kamala Harris, Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D), Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D). She was endorsed by the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) on Sept. 30 and by The Washington Post, Sierra Club, and League of Conservation Voters on Oct. 2.
“Just 53, Ms. Alsobrooks has the potential to serve in the Senate for decades, gaining experience and seniority as the retiring three-term veteran she would replace, Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin, did,” read the Post’s endorsement. “By electing her this year, Marylanders would be casting a well-founded vote of confidence in her future, and their own.”
Alsobrooks embarked on a statewide “Defend Our Majority” tour beginning Sept. 28 in Towson alongside Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
Over the past week, she has met with students at the University of Maryland- Eastern Shore, walked through the Hagerstown Arts and Entertainment District, and held a voter registration drive alongside Gov. Moore at Bowie State University.
“It was thrilling and inspiring to see Angela Alsobrooks on her visit to UMES. She didn’t have to come to our University, many candidates don’t,” said UMES Student Government Association President Keith Ceruti. “That’s why I have faith in Angela Alsobrooks: she’s willing to take the time to travel to meet with students and have real, face to face conversations. I know that as senator, she will fight for all Marylanders, including those of us on the Eastern Shore.”
Congressman Ivey Introduces Minority Contracting Bill
Congressman Glenn Ivey (D- District 4) is one of several sponsors of legislation to improve federal contract acquisition for minority-owned businesses. The CONTRACTS Act of 2024 would make improvements to federal contracting practices and increase opportunities for disadvantaged small businesses (DSBs).
“I am proud to introduce legislation to enhance federal contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses and dismantle discriminatory barriers that they encounter,” said Ivey.
The Maryland congressman emphasized why supporting small minority-owned businesses is critical.
“The number of minority-owned businesses has grown at the fastest pace in over 30 years, but according to the SBAs (Small Business Association’s) disaggregated federal contracting data for Fiscal Year 2023, less than 2% of Black-owned and Hispanic-owned businesses receive federal contracting dollars,” Ivey explained. “It is up to us to close this critical gap and improve opportunities for the talent pipeline and surge of entrepreneurs within the minority business community.”
The bill, introduced on Sept. 25, would direct federal agencies to create databases, initiatives, and networks to support minority-owned businesses, in addition to providing technical assistance and establishing a task force to identify best practices, the needs of DSBs, and solutions to the challenges they face.