Prince George’s County Council District 1 candidates made their case to voters Thursday night, outlining plans to tackle school overcrowding, affordable housing and community engagement in what is shaping up to be the district’s most competitive race in nearly a decade.
The candidate forum, hosted by The Laurel Independent and Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, drew more than 80 people to the Laurel Boys and Girls Club. Candidates Michelle García, Martin Mitchell and Darwin Romero answered questions moderated by Managing Editor Joshua Garner about their priorities if elected.
The hopefuls are vying to replace Councilmember Tom Dernoga, who is term limited. It will be the first time in eight years that District 1 voters elect a new representative.
No matter who wins in November, the outcome could be historic. García would be the first Latina elected to the seat. Mitchell would be the first Black or Afro-Caribbean council member to represent the district, and Romero would be the first immigrant elected to the seat. District 1 includes Laurel, West Laurel, South Laurel, Beltsville, Calverton, North College Park and communities in Adelphi.
During the 90-minute forum, the candidates were peppered with questions with each candidate trying to cast a distinct vision to voters on the impact they would have if elected to office.
“I’m running to protect community health, support responsible and sustainable development, invest in equity in our schools, strengthen transparency and accountability in government,” said García, a Beltsville resident who has served as chief of staff to Dernoga since 2018.
Romero, a South Laurel resident and contract manager, said he would prioritize school construction, after-school programs and workforce development.
“I will also make sure we invest in after school programs, tutoring programs, sports programs and extracurricular activities for our students,” Romero said.
Mitchell, a former Laurel City Council member, said he would push for more community input on development decisions.
“I am very concerned with development decisions passing and the community not having enough input,” Mitchell said. “I’ve seen it happen in Laurel, and now I’m seeing it happen right there in Beltsville … I’m going to continue to fight back as your council member.”
Audience members also asked about housing affordability, transportation and data centers.
Georgena Ifill asked the candidates how they would address rising rents and housing costs.
“Now, with economics even being tighter, it’s even more of an issue, to pay your mortgage, to pay your rent, and when your rent is going up four or $500 and you’re getting calls with people being put out of their homes,” Ifill said. “What are we going to be doing about people paying excessive rent?”
Romero said he would support more housing options, including town homes, workforce housing and transit-oriented development. He also said new developments should include affordable units.
Mitchell said he would like to see free bus service in Prince George’s County and more frequent transit service in northern parts of the county.
All three candidates voiced opposition to data centers in residential communities.
“I’d love to see us have something productive and something that’s going to support us in bringing jobs to this area,” García said. “I want to make sure it’s not at the risk of damaging your peace of mind and our community and making sure that we have sustainable growth while protecting the environment.”
The candidates also addressed environmental issues and development.
Mitchell said the county should rely more heavily on community-created development plans. While García pledged she would work with environmental groups and uphold Laurel’s master plan for future development.
The forum ended with candidates discussing how they would remain accessible to residents.
“I want to be accessible. I want to be visible. I am in the community, and I am a neighbor,” Romero said. “I plan to be accountable to each of the residents of District 1.”
Mitchell said he would continue canvassing year-round and meeting with residents if elected. García said she would only answer to voters because her publicly financed campaign shows she is not beholden to PACs, businesses or developers.
A second District 1 candidate forum is slated for later in the spring with The Here and Now College Park newspaper.
The primary election is June 23.