College Park Election Candidate Roundup

College Park voters will head to the polls in November to elect eight College Park City Councilmembers and a mayor.

Early voting will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, at Davis Hall (9217 51st Ave.). Election Day voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the City Hall Community Room (7401 Baltimore Ave.) All College Park residents–including, for the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds–may vote for mayor.

For city council, residents may vote only for the candidates running in the district where the voter lives. Find out what city district you live in using the map on the College Park website. There are two councilmembers for each district. This year, District 2 is the only district where more than two candidates are running.

Here is a roundup of the candidates for mayor and for the eight council seats. The information below was provided to College Park Here & Now by the candidates.

MAYOR

Community Involvement: I am the current mayor of College Park, where I have lived with my family since 2003. Elected mayor after serving six terms on the city council, beginning in 2011.

During my first mayoral term, I led efforts to reimagine College Park by strengthening the city’s finances, opening new community spaces and welcoming businesses that created jobs. I worked to make neighborhoods safer, more walkable and better connected, while also embracing and celebrating the city’s diversity. I’ve been instrumental in building community traditions and resources, helping to start the College Park Here & Now newspaper, co-founding the annual College Park Day and launching the Hollywood Farmers Market.

My leadership has also secured tangible investments in residents’ quality of life. I helped complete the first phase of Route 1 reconstruction, obtained funding for a new community center, free online tutoring and an after-school program to support local students. I championed the development of more than 300 units of affordable housing and backed the construction of the College Park Woods Clubhouse, ensuring growth benefits all residents. I also write a daily blog at http://KabirCares.org.

Professional Experience: I work for the federal government. I have a Ph.D. in engineering from the University of Manchester. I also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland for eight years.

Statement to Voters: Looking ahead, I am committed to building a stronger, more vibrant College Park by expanding affordable housing and family support—bringing more childcare options, investing in senior housing and creating opportunities for youth. I will keep our city safe and connected by securing fair police services, strengthening community partnerships, and making our neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable.

I plan to invest in our neighborhoods by revitalizing parks and community spaces, reducing blight and preserving the character of our communities, while also supporting local businesses, attracting new ones and creating good jobs. At the same time, I will champion sustainability by addressing stormwater and flood challenges, planting more trees, expanding recycling and food-scrap programs and investing in solar projects to reduce emissions.

Finally, I will complete key projects already underway, including Duvall Field, the North College Park Community Center, the Lakeland restorative justice effort, and major infrastructure upgrades like the Purple Line/Route 1 redevelopment and Calvert Hills flooding solutions.

DISTRICT 1

Community Involvement
District 1 councilmember (2023-2025), North College Park Civic Association, American Legion Post 217 leadership

Professional Experience: I began my career in public service at 17 when I joined the U.S. Air Force, where I proudly served on active duty and now continue in my 15th year as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. I went on to earn a master’s degree in national security from Georgetown University and, for the past four years, have worked at the U.S. Department of State. I currently serve as a civil servant in the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, where I support U.S. efforts in hostage negotiations around the world.

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of Jacob Hernandez and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Air Force, Department of War, Department of State or the U.S. government.

Statement to Voters: Over the past two years, we’ve accomplished so much together, and I am honored to have served our community. I humbly ask for your vote so that I can continue working on projects that support our residents, strengthen our neighborhoods and move College Park forward.

I hope to continue bringing strategic vision and leadership to build on the strength of our community. My plan is to continue my goals of improving communication to/from the residents, enhancing educational opportunities, and advancing the representation of our residents’ concerns while also focusing on thoughtful economic development across the city, especially north of Maryland 193, while forging strategic partnerships and empowering our community in a manner that benefits both existing and future residents. I hope to do this for all College Parkers. Learn more at https://www.jacobthernandezforcp.com/

Community Involvement: I’m proud to be running for re-election to represent District 1. I’ve lived in the Autoville neighborhood for over 20 years and have served as your councilmember since June 2022. Previously, I served on the council for District 4 from 2013 to 2015.

I hold a B.S. in natural resources management from the University of Maryland, with a focus on environmental education and parks management. I’ve been actively involved in city affairs since 2008, when I served as a liaison between the Monument Village development, the city and the county—helping ensure strong outcomes for our community.

While on council, I’ve served on several regional and intergovernmental committees, including:

• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
• Climate, Energy & Environment Policy Committee
• Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee – currently serving as Vice Chair representing Maryland
• National League of Cities
• Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee
• University Communities Council
• Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials
• University of Maryland & Community Engagement
• UMD Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Good Neighbor Day Committee
• Ongoing collaboration with UMD’s Center for Community Engagement

Professional Experience: To better serve you, I’ve completed public safety and leadership training, including:

• Citizen’s Police Academies (PG County, UMD, and PG County Sheriff’s Office)
• Fire Ops 101 – Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute
• Fellowship – Academy for Excellence in Local Governance, UMD School of Public Policy

One of my passions is environmental stewardship. In 2014, I helped plant and maintain the Permaculture Garden on the Trolley Trail, a project close to my heart that supports pollinators and sustainable practices.

Statement to Voters: I believe that community involvement is essential to building a city we can all be proud of. I will continue to listen to your concerns and work hard to make College Park the best it can be.

DISTRICT 2

Community Involvement: Member of the College Park Vacant & Blighted Property Tax Committee, 2024-Present; Chair of the College Park Advisory Planning Commission, 2015-2020, member for a total of seven years; Former board member, College Park Community Foundation

Professional Experience: I work as an IT project manager at the National Institutes of Health. As a project manager, I work to deliver functional products to our users, on time and on budget. A large part of delivering quality service successfully comes down to listening, determining client needs and analyzing how best to deploy available resources; all skills that are incredibly relevant to civic service.

Statement to Voters: I’m running to make College Park the best city in the region to grow up in, raise a family in and retire. That means affordable housing, safer neighborhoods, walkable streets and real opportunity for every family. That vision will take hard work and bold leadership—exactly what I’m ready to deliver. I believe good government starts with listening. As one of your representatives on the city council, I will be an advocate for our community, someone who hears your concerns, values your ideas and works collaboratively to find solutions. Together we can build a city that meets the needs and aspirations of every resident.

Community Involvement: I am in my third year serving as co-president of the Berwyn District Civic Association (BDCA) and my fifth year on the board of directors. Within the BDCA I have partnered with local city and community organizations to hold events and help with projects to increase quality of life in College Park. I initiated the translation of the Berwyn News newsletter into Spanish. I helped reinstitute Berwyn Day. During my tenure, the BDCA worked with Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission and adopted the Berwyn Neighborhood Park. I have been on the board of directors of the Paint Branch Elementary School PTA for the past seven years. I also volunteer with my church, where I teach children’s Sunday school and teach university students about financial literacy.

Professional Experience: IT consultant in security and process optimization for hospitals around the country. I have worked in this capacity in multiple roles, as a project manager, trainer, curriculum designer and analyst. During my time as a project manager for Kaiser Permanente, I oversaw a $2 million  project. I have degrees in physics from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Wisconsin and have given talks about my research around the world.

Statement to Voters: I will work for all the residents of District 2 to increase quality of life, support local businesses  and put tax dollars to good use.

Community Involvement: Acting treasurer, Berwyn District Civic Association, appointee to the Old Town Historic District Local Advisory Committee (2023-present); Committee for a Better Environment member (2020-2023, where I co-led the storm drain painting project).

Professional Experience: My professional background is driven by a passion for local government. I’ve spent nearly a decade working as a community and urban planner in nearby jurisdictions, focused on helping cities grow in ways that are more equitable, sustainable and thoughtful. I currently serve as the deputy zoning manager for the city of Rockville, where I lead a multi-departmental effort to rewrite the city’s zoning code in its entirety.

Previously, I was the acting director of community and economic development in the city of Hyattsville, overseeing strategy and implementation for planning and economic development priorities. Earlier in my career, I worked in development review with a particular focus on environmental compliance. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how local policy translates to impact, which is knowledge I would bring to the District 2 council seat if elected.

Statement to Voters: I moved to the city nine years ago to attend grad school at the University of Maryland. It wasn’t long after I arrived that I realized how many amazing things College Park has to offer. We have excellent trails, green spaces, public transit and local businesses. Most of all, I love the community I have found here. I chose to stay, build a life and buy a house in College Park, and I am especially proud to call District 2 my home.

With new leadership coming in with this election, we have a chance to carry forward District 2’s momentum while also embracing fresh ideas. If elected, I’m committed to continuing important work already underway, including around affordable housing and restorative justice for Lakeland, while also listening carefully and acting thoughtfully on new opportunities and challenges ahead.

I’ve built a career turning policy into action. I believe good governance begins with listening and collaboration. I know that my experience in local government and my deep connection to this city would help me serve District 2 well. It would be an honor to represent this community.

DISTRICT 3

Community Involvement
President, Calvert Hills Citizens Association 2021-2025
Vice President, Calvert Hills Citizens Association 2020-2021

Professional Experience: I am an international tech policy leader with 15 years of experience as a federal government civil servant at the U.S. Department of State. I currently serve as acting deputy director in the Office of Emerging and Critical Technology Policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. My experience building coalitions, leading negotiations, engaging with stakeholders, managing and developing teams, and advising senior officials will contribute toward making me an effective representative on the city council. At heart I am a diplomat who seeks to understand all perspectives, while not shying away from taking on complex policy decisions.

Statement to Voters: I love College Park and I’m committed to making the city a place we’re all proud to call home. I have lived in College Park for 11 years, first moving to the city to attend the University of Maryland for a master’s degree in engineering and public policy, and later moving back to College Park to settle down and start a family with my wife, Meg.

I have a strong track record over the last four years as president of the Calvert Hills Citizens Association, facilitating community events and advocating with city, county and state officials on behalf of District 3 residents. My deep understanding of city governance has enabled successful collaboration with Mayor Kabir and current and former councilmembers, and other local leaders to advance the interests of District 3 and College Park residents.

I hope to help address key issues in our community, including neighborhood quality of life, community wellbeing, affordable housing, smart growth and infrastructure improvements, and transparency and community engagement. You can learn more about me and my key issues at www.danoates.net.

Community Involvement
College Park City Council, March 2025-present
Good Neighbor Day Planning Team, 2016-present
Soccer and basketball coach (with the Boys and Girls Club of Berwyn Heights) 2021-present
College Park Estates Civic Association leader, 2017-2024
LuMin National Board president and member, 2022-2025

Professional Experience: I am a chaplain at the University of Maryland in my 15th year of service. Every day I get to listen to, care for and interact with people who are experiencing joys and sorrows, exploring their role in the world and growing as young adults. I manage a team that builds community on many levels, including through three afterschool tutoring and mentoring programs, weekly spiritual programming, yearly domestic and international learning trips, and a weekly free meal near campus, among other things.

I was also a student at the University of Maryland from 2000-2004, where I held numerous leadership positions including in the Student Government Association. I am active at Hope Lutheran Church in College Park, where I was previously on staff and where my family and I are currently members. I have served as an international volunteer in Argentina for one year, and shorter term volunteer in South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Jerusalem, Bosnia and Brazil.

Statement to Voters: I care about the people who live here in College Park. We have a great city, and I am committed to making sure that all residents, especially the most vulnerable, benefit and thrive. I want to help shape our city to be more equitable, just, verdant, safe and full of opportunities. It has been an honor to serve a partial term for the last six to seven months, and I am seeking a full term on the council to continue to work hard to support our residents and communities.

DISTRICT 4

Community Involvement: For many years I’ve been involved in my community, serving where needed, whether it be on the College Park Woods Swim Club, Neighborhood Watch or our civic association. I participated in many service projects throughout the city over the years, removing invasive species and planting trees, stream restoration/stream clean up and working on tackling food insecurity issues, to name a few.

I served on the Board of Election Supervisors as the District 4 chief judge for the city of College Park and as an election judge and chief judge for Prince George’s County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked as a vaccination site volunteer. I am very active in my church, serving in various ministries. In addition to my duties as a councilmember, I am active on several committees and am always willing to help with city activities.

Professional Experience: I am a retiree. I started my career as an agricultural specialist and later worked for 26 years as a homeschool teacher. In recent years, I have worked as a substitute teacher, childcare worker, tutor and aging-at-home assistant. I believe my life experiences have prepared me well to serve on the city council. During my six years on council, I have taken many opportunities to stretch myself and increase my knowledge. I am well prepared to serve another term.

Statement to Voters: I have a long history with College Park. I grew up here and chose to move my family back here in 1994. Today, three of my five children, along with my grandson, live in College Park, giving me strong family ties to the city. I have served as a councilmember for six years, and have learned a lot and built strong working relationships.

I have always been committed to all of the residents of College Park and want to make sure that we focus on enhancing the quality of life for everyone. I am not one to say a lot; I like to listen and make thoughtful decisions. I want to make sure College Park remains a city focused on safety, smart growth, protecting the environment, offering choices for education, and expanding housing options, health care choices and addressing traffic issues. I am also fiscally conservative and want to make sure College Park lives within its means. I look forward to continuing this work and hope that you will engage with me to ensure that College Park leaves a positive legacy for the future.

Community Involvement
Served on the city council, 2009-2015, and 2017-present
West College Park Civic Association Board of Directors (2005-2009)
Member, co-chair, and chair of the city of College Park Education Advisory Committee, 2005-2009
Chair, Board of Directors, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Foundation (2025-present)
Board of Directors, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (2022-present)
Member, Transportation Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (2022-present)
Member, FARM Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (2024-2025)
Past President, Maryland Municipal League (2023)
Member of Board of Directors, Maryland Municipal League (2013-2015 again, 2021-2022)
Board of Directors, National League of Cities (2021-2025)
Board liaison to the University Community Council to National League of Cities (2022-2023 and 2024-2025)

Professional Experience: For the past three years, I have had the honor of serving as the director of constituent services and municipal outreach for a Prince George’s County Councilmember. In this role, I am responsible for addressing residents’ concerns, connecting them with resources, and finding solutions that help maintain and improve their quality of life.

Previously, I worked as an early childhood administrator, managing programs and supervising more than 500 employees. I also facilitated negotiations and served as a trainer, ensuring high-quality programs and effective team development.

Statement to Voters: I am running to continue serving our community with integrity, transparency and dedication. My vision is simple: build a stronger, more connected city where every resident feels valued, included and heard. Over the years, I have worked hard to:

• Protect essential city services and keep them sustainable for the future
• Advocate for affordable housing and responsible development that benefits all residents
• Strengthen partnerships with our schools, local businesses and regional leaders
• Ensure that your voice shapes the decisions we make as a community

My record shows that I do not shy away from tough choices but always put residents first. With your support, I will continue to focus on the basics that matter most—safe neighborhoods, reliable services and opportunities for all families to thrive. Together, we can continue to move forward.