Alsobrooks weighs in, senators go easy on Carter, Catholic bishops vow immigrant protection, more

U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D) officially endorsed At-Large Prince George’s County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) in the crowded race to replace her as Prince George’s County Executive.

Alsobrooks, who was sworn in Jan. 3 as the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, said in a statement Friday that Hawkins will be someone “that puts people first.”

“As a person who has worked at the highest levels of County government for two County Executives, including as Council Chair, he has the experience to hit the ground running on Day One,” Alsobrooks said. “He will grow our economy, manage our budget, and provide the services that Prince Georgians need and deserve.”

Hawkins is one of nine Democrats running in the March 4 special primary for county executive — but not the only one with high-profile endorsements. Others in the race include former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, County Council Chair Jolene Ivey and state Sen. Alonzo Washington.

Braveboy, who recently reported the most money in her campaign account as of early January, at more than $530,000, has garnered endorsements from state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George’s) and at least three members of the all-Democratic County Council – Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III and members Wala Blegay and Krystal Oriadha.

Ivey has been endorsed by U.S. Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-5th) and Kweisi Mfume (D-8th), Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s) and former U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, whom Alsobrooks replaced.

Washington, who announced his bid last month at Busboys and Poets restaurant in Hyattsville, is backed by fellow District 22 lawmaker Del. Ashanti Martinez (D-Prince George’s). Baker, who was termed out of office in 2018, before losing two bids for governor, also brought out supporters when he announced last month in Fort Washington.

Baker noted in a Jan. 17 interview that he is the only candidate with county executive experience, including two years during the first term of President Donald Trump, in 2017 and 2018.

“Everybody that’s running for county executive now will need a learning curve. They will need to know how to do that job,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a legislator, or business [owner], or you’ve been state’s attorney. That’s not being county executive. There’s no way that any of them could say the county did not prosper under my administration.”

The other four Democratic candidates are Marcellus Crews, Ron Hunt, Albert Slocum and Tonya Sweat. The three Republicans running for executive have all sought public office before: George E. McDermott, Jesse Peed and Jonathan White.

Sweat on Monday picked up the endorsement of the Maryland Forward Party, a relatively new entity in state politics whose motto is, “Not Left. Not Right. Forward.”

“Tonya represents the type of positive change that Maryland voters are so desperately looking for,” said PJ Benenati, the organization’s chair, in a statement. “Today, more than ever, we need strong, independent minded leadership to actively address and solve the challenges facing our diverse and growing communities.”

For those who want to hear the candidates in person, a forum is scheduled for Thursday at Laurel Boys and Girls Club. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the forum starts at 6:30 p.m.

Jill Carter on glide path for confirmation

Ex-membership has its privileges.

Former state Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) sped through her confirmation hearing Monday night before the Senate Executive Nominations Committee, to join the Maryland Board of Contract Appeals.

Though she was listed as the 17th, and last, nominee on the committee’s busy agenda, she was leap-frogged to the head of the line, ahead of 16 judicial nominees. The hearing lasted all of three minutes.

Carter resigned from the Senate on Jan. 3 after Gov. Wes Moore (D) nominated her to serve on the contract appeals board. As tradition dictates during confirmation hearings in the executive nominations panel, Carter was introduced by her senator — Dalya Attar (D), who was just sworn in to Carter’s old seat on Friday afternoon.

“I don’t have to tell you all why she is great for her position,” said Attar, who was appointed to the Senate after serving six years in the House, to her new colleagues.

Carter described her new gig as “going back to my roots,” because her early days as a lawyer were spent appealing government contract decisions that her clients found discriminatory.

“I promise to uphold the values of the board with integrity, transparency and efficiency,” she said.

Speaking for his colleagues on the nominations committee, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), said, “I’d like to second, third, fourth, and fifth the nomination.”

Carter and the 16 judicial nominees — who included Moore’s first appointment to the Maryland Supreme Court, Judge Peter Killough — were unanimously recommended for approval by the committee. The full Senate is likely to confirm their nominations Friday.

Catholic leaders stand with immigrants

As the Trump administration launches its crackdown on undocumented immigrants across the U.S., Maryland’s Catholic bishops have released a joint statement, in English and Spanish, to express their solidarity with immigrants and to recommit to advocating for policies that protect their rights and uphold their dignity.

The eight bishops include Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori; Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Apostolic Administrator of Washington; Wilmington Bishop William Koenig; and the state’s five auxiliary bishops.

“The Church has always been a home for those in search of refuge and peace, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to welcome the stranger and embrace the vulnerable,” the bishops wrote in their statement. Noting that parishes, schools and ministries are places to “find community and grow in faith,” the bishops went on to say they “also commit to advocating for policies that protect your rights and uphold your dignity, trusting that our collective voices will help build a society rooted in compassion and justice.”

Over the weekend, the Maryland Catholic Conference held a statewide workshop for immigrants and advocates that provided information and resources addressing legal rights, practical support and national policy. Speakers included national Catholic policy experts and a representative from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

As the Annapolis lobbying world turns

The firm Public Policy Partners has brought on Jennifer Navabi as director of operations, intergovernmental relations and community affairs.

“Jennifer brings extensive expertise and experience in navigating local government, building community relationships, and working with Maryland’s Congressional delegation,” the firm said in its announcement.

Navabi served most recently as district director for former Anne Arundel state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D), now a U.S. congresswoman. She also worked in the legislature as a staffer for former Montgomery County state Sen. Richard Madaleno (D) and she’s a former executive director of the Annapolis Community Foundation.