By SOPHIE GORMAN ORIANI
Ten of the twelve candidates for Prince George’s County Executive gathered for a candidate forum at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club on the evening of January 30. Over the course of the evening, candidates attempted to make themselves stand out in the crowded field.
To open the forum, candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves, and express their vision for Prince George’s County. Aisha Braveboy, the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, said the county is experiencing both a financial deficit, and a “leadership deficit at the federal level.” She suggested an audit of the county’s financials. Former County Executive Rushern Baker said his vision is for Prince George’s County to be the way it was during his prior terms as county executive, from 2010 to 2018. State Senator Alonzo T. Washington (District 22) said that the county is currently very divided and that his leadership will be able to bring the county together.
“We don’t need an audit; we need an investigation!” said former nightclub owner Ron Hunt, who focused on the need to fix the budget deficit.

What county service most needs improvement?
Candidates weighed in on a county service or agency that could stand to be improved. Washington and At-large County Councilmember Jolene Ivey both named the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE). Washington suggested the solution was to dismantle the department, while Ivey said she felt it could be improved without dismantling it entirely. “Hi!” said Baker, “I’m the creator of DPIE!” Baker said DPIE brought previously siloed agencies together and the problem was the management of the department.
Hunt, along with business owner Marcellus Crews and financial professional Albert Slocum, singled out education as the service they would prioritize for improvement.
Jonathan White, one of two Republican candidates to participate in the forum, suggested improving public safety by hiring more police officers. Braveboy suggested restructuring the police department to achieve community policing.
Attorney Tonya Sweat said that her goal would be to improve the office of the county executive. “If we fix the leadership in this county,” she said, “We can fix a whole lot.”
Retiree George McDermott, who is running as a Republican, said he would revamp the office of the state’s attorney and increase prosecution of white collar crime, as well as make it easier for citizens to bring complaints.
How can we improve education?
Candidates emphasized different areas when talking about their priorities for improving education in the county.
Braveboy stressed the need to expand early childhood education and assess children early, as well as adding after school enrichment to support a variety of learning styles, while Baker said ensuring student safety would be his top priority.
McDermott suggested going “back to the basics” as well as making sure students are taught about the constitution of the United States.
Ivey noted that if fixing the problems with the school system were easy, it would already have been done. Ivey said that as a parent, she knows the first years of a child’s life are crucial, and said she already started a program funding home visits from registered nurses to visit families with new babies and connect them to needed resources.
Crews suggested allowing students to pursue certifications and apprenticeships starting in 6th grade. Sweat and Hunt also mentioned expanding apprenticeships for students. Jonathan White also expressed support for vocational programs, and proposed saving money via a four day school week.
Several of the candidates, including Washington, Baker, and Sweat, stressed the need to fund planned investment in education.
What about the budget?
While the newly elected executive will inherit an already approved budget, candidates including Washington, Hunt and White expressed a desire to cut spending in the future.
Hunt also suggested seniors who own homes should pay no property taxes.
Baker said he knew from experience that inheriting a previously approved budget is hard.
Braveboy said she would prioritize spending the budgeted money in the county. Ivey said she had had a hand in developing the budget as council chair, but as county executive, would increase the hiring speed for empty positions.
Slocum and Sweat expressed a desire to bring in more revenue for the county, with Slocum specifically suggesting taxing corporations. McDermott focused on his concern about the prevalence of white collar crimes.
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Democrat Calvin Hawkins, an at-large county council member, and Republican Jesse Peed, an Army veteran and small business owner, did not attend this forum.
For more information on the candidates, candidate forums, and how to vote in the county executive election this month, see our voter guide.
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A prior version of this post mistakenly referred to Alonzo T. Washington as a State Delegate. He is a State Senator.