Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D) speaks to supporters March 4 as unofficial results show her leading in the county executive race. Gov. Wes Moore (D), right, listens. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)
With a commanding early lead in Tuesday’s special primary election for Prince George’s County executive, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy started to look forward Tuesday night to becoming the Democratic nominee for the post.
“I’m going to ask each and every one of you, as we move forward to transform Prince George’s County, that you commit yourself to not only having to vote for me in the [special] general election, but to be there when I need you to be a part of this transition,” Braveboy said to enthusiastic supporters gathered at Metro Points Hotel in New Carrollton.
“I can’t wait to serve as your next county executive,” she said.
According to unofficial results at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Braveboy had 10,435 votes, or 43% of the vote total against seven other Democrats.
Former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III was in second place with 5,117 votes, or 21% of the vote. At-Large County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, endorsed by former county executive and now U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D), stood in third place with 4,899, or 20%.
One push that may have helped Braveboy win some additional votes was an endorsement from Gov. Wes Moore (D), who stood beside her on stage Tuesday night.
More importantly, Prince George’s voters such as Kelly Tolbert of District Heights stood in a long line to cast a ballot for Braveboy at Suitland Community Center.
“She’s a personable person,” Tolbert said about Braveboy. “I want somebody who’s going to be personable on a regular basis, not when they want your vote. She was like that pre-pandemic when I met her and the same way today.”
Several voters declined to say who they voted for Tuesday, but stressed the importance of simply casting a ballot.
“The decisions that are made about the investments in our county, where new businesses are located, where new homes are built, really to attract new vibrant activity. The next county executive will hold the key to that,” said former state Sen. Melony Griffith, who currently is president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association. “It’s so important that people participate in this process.”
County officials have estimated that this year’s special primary and general elections will cost about $4.2 million, or $2.1 million each.
Because Democrats have an overwhelming advantage in voter registration in the county, the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary is largely considered the favorite to win the special general election June 3 against one of three Republicans. The vote remained too close to call in that race Tuesday night, as George E. McDermott had 352 votes to 348 for Jonathan White and Jesse Peed with 336.
Although County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D) dropped out the about three weeks ago, she received the fourth-highest number of Democratic primary votes for county executive, with 1,661. State Sen. Alonzo Washington followed Ivey with 1,341 votes; Tonya Sweat had 416; Ron Hunt with 202; Marcellus Crews with 120; and Albert Slocum with 43.
Meanwhile, residents in the county’s District 5 area, which includes Cheverly, Bladensburg and Glenarden, also had to select a new councilmember to fill Ivey’s old seat.
Unofficial results show Shayla Adams-Stafford in first place with 1,214, or nearly 47% of the vote. Ryan Middleton, who was also endorsed by Alsobrooks, remains in second with 781, or 30% of the vote.
The other three Democratic candidates are Kendal Gray with 246 votes; Theresa Mitchell Dudley with 176; and Christopher Wade with 153. Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh dropped out the race, but still received 29 votes.
The lone Republican candidate, Fred Price Jr., ran uncontested and advance to the June 3 special election.
The winners for county executive and County Council will serve out the remaining two years left on the terms for those two seats.