Alsobrooks resigns as Prince George’s County executive, sparking a scramble to replace her

Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks (D) officially resigned her post as Prince George’s County Executive on Monday morning, setting the stage for a special election that has already attracted three candidates and may draw more.

In a letter “to all residents of Prince George’s County” released Monday, Alsobrooks, who will be sworn in to her seat in the U.S. Senate on Jan. 3, said she was resigning from the county job effective 10 a.m. Monday.

“Thank you for your trust and partnership as we worked to build a stronger, united Prince George’s,” Alsobrooks’ letter said. “Serving the residents of this County has been the honor of my lifetime, and I am deeply proud of all we have accomplished together.”

Had she waited before resigning, the County Council would have picked Alsobrooks’ replacement. Instead, there will be a special election that a county election official said could happen this winter.

At least three people formally announced plans Monday to run for executive. At-large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) and County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D), who was recently elected to the other countywide at-large seat, threw their hats in the ring, while Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D), who said on Nov. 8 that she planned to run for county executive, made it official Monday.

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Former County Executive Rushern Baker III (D) said Monday he has been urged to consider a run and expects to make a decision within the next few days.

According to the county charter, the county’s chief administrative officer, Tara Jackson, will serve as acting county executive until a new executive is elected. The county had already taken Alsobrooks off the county executive’s page Monday and posted Jackson in her place as acting executive. Jackson has been chief administrative officer since December 2020.

County Election Administrator Wendy Honesty-Bey said an election could happen this winter. She said a resolution must be put together in the next seven to 10 days that includes dates to hold the special elections. The council must approve that resolution for the election to move forward.

In a statement, Hawkins thanked Alsobrooks’ service to the county and touted his 30 years in county government, working in the Office of Emergency Management, as an aide to the late County Executive Wayne K. Curry and an adviser during  Baker’s term as county executive.

“Prince George’s County needs a leader with a proven record of listening – at people’s doorsteps, on the phone, at the supermarket – so we can forge a path forward that works for everyone,” Hawkins’ statement said. “I am honored to stand as the People’s Choice, ready to lead with experience, stability and a home-grown commitment to Prince George’s County. Let’s move forward together, building a brighter future for all.”

Ivey, who won last month’s special general election for at-large seat to replace former Councilmember Mel Franklin, released a campaign statement to tout a few accomplishments, such as passage of rent stabilization legislation for seniors and residents on fixed-incomes, and helping to close a $171 million budget deficit.

“Prince George’s County is at a crossroads,” Ivey said in her statement. “The next County Executive must tackle the housing affordability crisis, improve our schools, support our businesses, and work with the community and police to reduce crime.”

Ivey’s campaign also released an internal poll that called the race for county executive “a two-person race” between her and Braveboy. The survey of 583 likely Democratic primary voters, conducted Nov. 8 and 9 by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic-leaning firm based in North Carolina, found about 23% would vote for Ivey and 18% Braveboy, her campaign said. Baker got 9% of the vote in the poll and Hawkins received 4%.

However, about 46% of those surveyed chose “not sure” in terms of who they would vote for.

The poll also asked about a favorable or unfavorable opinion of all four individuals. It found:

• Ivey: 50% favorable; 5% unfavorable; 46% not sure;
• Braveboy: 45% favorable; 7% unfavorable; 48% not sure;
• Baker: 36% favorable; 15% unfavorable; 49% not sure; and
• Hawkins: 22% favorable; 5% unfavorable; 73% not sure.

In her statement Monday, Braveboy praised Alsobrooks’ tenure and went on to say that the next county executive will need “bold and ambitious vision” to handle the challenges facing the county.

“Voters know that I’m unafraid of a challenge and that I seldom miss an opportunity,” her statement said. “I’m grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me — having twice elected me as State’s Attorney. I’ll present my case to them as I have in the past and ask them to place their trust in me again.”

Kevin Ford Jr., a senior adviser to Baker, said in a statement that the former county executive “is deeply humbled by the encouragement from residents urging him to return to leadership.”

“Rushern’s tenure as County Executive brought historic progress to Prince George’s County. With the challenges ahead, he is strongly considering a run in the special election to bring experienced, steady leadership back to our community,” Ford’s statement said. “In the coming days, he will consult with residents, community leaders, and his family before making a decision.”

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Another poll on the race, conducted online from Nov. 14 to 16 by Blended Public Affairs, an Annapolis-based firm, asked about favorability of possible successors to Alsobrooks. The poll of 475 registered voters said 46% of voters viewed Braveboy favorably, 15% unfavorably, 23% said they didn’t know her and 17% said they knew her name but offered no opinion.

In comparison, Ivey was viewed favorably by 39% of those surveyed and 13% unfavorably. About 29% of respondents knew her name but offered no opinion, and 19% said they didn’t know her.

Baker was viewed favorably by 37% of voters and unfavorably by 21%, while 20% said they were familiar with his name but offered no opinion and 22% said they didn’t know him. Hawkins had a 22% favorability rating, compared to 9% of voters who viewed him unfavorably. Thirty percent of voters said they knew his name but could not offer an opinion, while 38% said they did not know him at all.

The Prince George’s County Council is scheduled to hold its annual gavel exchange Tuesday to elect a new chair and vice chair.

Gov. Wes Moore (D), who has praised Alsobrooks for her endorsement of him during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, released a statement on her resignation.

“Angela worked tirelessly to make Prince George’s County a safer, stronger place to call home – we’re deeply grateful for her effort and for the results she achieved,” Moore said. “We look forward to continuing our work together to uplift Maryland families, protect fundamental freedoms, and build a brighter future for our state in her new role as U.S. Senator, as we welcome the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Prince George’s County alongside acting County Executive Tara Jackson.”