Five first-time candidates and five incumbents have filed to run for seats on the College Park City Council in the Nov. 4 election.
In District 2, where both incumbents—Susan Whitney and Llatetra Brown Esters—announced in August they would not seek re-election, four candidates will compete for two council seats.
In District 3, where Councilmember John Rigg will vacate his seat after four terms, Daniel Oates, the president of the Calvert Hills Citizens Association, will run alongside incumbent Ray Ranker for two seats. Oates works for the federal government as a global technology policy adviser.
Mayor Fazlul Kabir will run unopposed for re-election. Kabir served as a District 1 city council member for 12 years before becoming mayor in 2023.
The District 2 candidates are Eugene Chay, Christopher Gill, Kelly Jordan and Holly Simmons.
Chay, an attorney, was a member of the city’s now-defunct Animal Welfare Committee and has lived in College Park for five years.
Gill, who has lived in College Park for more than 15 years, has served as president of the Metropolitan HOA and as a member of the city’s Advisory Planning Commission, the Vacant & Blighted Property Tax Committee and the College Park Community Foundation.
Kelly Jordan, who works in IT security, is co-president of the Berwyn District Civic Association and helps publish a bilingual newsletter for neighborhood residents.
Holly Simmons, an urban planner, is treasurer of the Berwyn District Civic Association and has served as a commissioner on the Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission.
In Districts 1 and 4, all incumbents are running for re-election without opposition. Councilmembers Jacob Hernandez and Alan Hew are on the ballot for District 1, and Councilmember Maria Mackie and Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell are running for re-election to their District 4 seats.
The Nov. 4 election site is City Hall. Early voting is Nov. 2 at Davis Hall. College Park Here & Now will publish an election guide for voters in the October edition.