Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will face off in November, in a race that could decide control of the U.S. Senate. After last week's debate between both candidates, Prince George's County residents were left wondering, "What will Angela do?"
For county voters, the upcoming decision on who to vote for is a significant one. Should they back Hogan, a county native whose father served as the last Republican County Executive? Or should they support Alsobrooks, now serving her second term as County Executive after previously holding the role of County State’s Attorney?
However, there’s a crucial factor that voters may have overlooked. If Alsobrooks wins and becomes Maryland’s first Black woman to serve as a U.S. Senator, the Prince George’s County Charter will come into play.
Under Section 407 of the Charter, if Alsobrooks resigns within the first two years of her current term—before December 2nd — her Chief Administrative Officer would become Acting County Executive until a special election is scheduled. But if Alsobrooks resigns after December 2nd, say on December 31st, before being sworn in as a U.S. Senator, the County Council will select her successor. If they fail to choose among themselves within 14 days, the Council Chair would take over as County Executive for the remainder of her term.
This raises an important question, what will Angela do (WWAD)? Voters who are considering casting their ballot for her should be asking this question. And I am surprised that the moderator, former NBC "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd, and his panel, did not pose this question to her. As she campaigns for a seat in the U.S. Senate, shouldn’t Prince George’s County residents also be allowed to weigh in on who will fill the potential vacancy in their local government?
Or do county voters want to experience horse trading among council members? Already buzz is circulating that there has been heavy jockeying among council members for the county’s top seat. With former Council Member Mel Franklin having recently resigned due to campaign financial irregularities, what happens if the vote is a 5-5 tie? The county charter states if the council can not choose among themselves following the 14 day deadline, the Council Chair automatically becomes County Executive.
For Prince George’s County voters, the time is now to get answers. Ask Ms. Alsobrooks directly what her plans are for succession if she wins. Your vote this November could shape not only the future of the U.S. Senate, but also your future county leadership. Of course, if Ms. Alsobrooks has done such a great job as her ads profess, then county voters have the option of voting for former Gov. Hogan and keeping Ms. Alsobrooks as their County Executive so she can finish the great job she started in 2018 (and bring back the second trash day as she promised).
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David Byrd is the former Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Prince George's County (2006-2011) and served as a Co-Chair of Angela Alsobrooks' County Executive Transition Team (2018). He's still waiting for that second trash day to come back to his neighborhood that was promised in 2018.
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