Here in Hyattsville, the work of our District 2 county councilmember and District 22 state representatives make a big difference in the quality of our lives. When it comes to local development, local schools or local infrastructure, these people make it happen around here — or don’t.  

Our District 2 county council representative often calls the shots on whether developments move forward. Improvements in schools and infrastructure depend on our District 22 state representatives coordinating with state agencies and advocating for funding.

Voters in this month’s primary elections will almost certainly decide who holds these seats, as only Democrats are running in these races. 

This section of the Life & Times includes statements from registered candidates for District 2 (county council) and District 22 (state senate and state delegate).

For statewide seats, our colleagues at Maryland Matters publish an online election guide. For the Prince George’s county executive race, we refer you to our colleagues at The Washington Informer. For other races, including an online exclusive at-large county council candidate guide, see our frequently updated local election content at StreetcarSuburbs.News.

Here are key dates for the primary election:

July 7-14: Early in-person voting

July 19: Primary election day

You must be already registered as a Democrat as of presstime to cast a vote for these candidates in the primary. Find your polling place at elections.maryland.gov/voting/where.html.

County Council District 2

Wanika Fisher

Wanika Fisher 1

Age: 34

Day Job: attorney at Jezic & Moyse Attorneys at Law 

Community Involvement: 

  • state delegate District 47B and member of House Judiciary Committee
  • assistant majority leader: elected by the 49 freshman legislators of the 99 Democrats in the House of Delegates to be the highest-ranking freshman 
  • member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Iota Omega Gamma chapter
  • chair, Compliance Subcommittee for Police Reform Workgroup for Prince George’s County 
  • served on the state workgroups for criminal gang statute, police reform and economic stability 
  • founder of the AAPI Democratic Club of Prince George’s County 
  • new head golf coach at Northwestern High School
  • member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hyattsville  

Statement to Voters: The local issues facing my community are at crossroads. I felt that my work in Annapolis has been great but the need for new leadership at the county level could no longer be ignored. District 2 is a beautiful and diverse community, but it has old schools, a lack of affordable housing, communities that have been under invested in, transit and walkability problems. It will take new leadership that has proven results to tackle these challenges as the Purple Line is being constructed throughout the district. I am asking for your vote because I am a candidate who lives in our community, is invested in the long-term health of our neighborhoods and has the work ethic to get the job done! 

Raymond Nevo

Raymond Nevo

Age: 38

Day Job: state policy and equity manager, National Housing Trust

Community Involvement: Full-time+ advocate for affordable, healthy, equitable and energy efficient housing. Recent highlights include: 

  • preservation of affordable housing (acquisition of Hamilton Manor to preserve affordability of its units, and the Purple Line Corridor Coalition)
  • craft and advocate for state bills that further equity, climate justice and protect seniors. 
  • a leading organizer of Power in the Park, an event that enabled residents to enroll in energy bill savings/relief on the spot. PITP was later duplicated and sponsored by delegates in neighboring counties
  • Network for Energy, Water and Health in Affordable Buildings (NEWHAB), stewardship councilmember 
  • steering committee chair for UMD’s School of Public Policy Alumni Board, where I fostered a paid internship program 
  • created a partnership with I Support the Girls that provides low-income women with free period products
  • part-time Flying Trapeze Instructor in Southeast D.C. 
  • husband to a brilliant, active uniformed service member and proud cat dad

Statement to Voters: I’m running because I know what it’s like to experience the hardships that so many residents are experiencing today (homelessness, food insecurity, inaccessible healthcare, unemployment, discrimination). I also know the frustration that comes from proposing real and fair solutions to decision-makers, and having them rejected. I’ve been advocating for Marylanders long before considering elected office. Currently, I lead coalitions made up of housing, energy and climate experts in order to create and preserve healthy, energy efficient and affordable housing in disadvantaged communities in Maryland and surrounding states. I came into this role with no field expertise, only lived experience, a passion for change, and a leadership philosophy based in transparency, equity and accountability. Now, I’m ready to focus my expertise and experience on Prince George’s County because we deserve better. I do the hard work, have the uncomfortable conversations, and always take responsibility for my actions. We may not always agree, but you will always know where I stand, and I will always participate in open/honest conversations about issues. This work is deeply personal, and when something is personal, you work harder for it, and that’s how I intend to serve. 

Victor Ramirez

Victor Ramirez

Age: 47

Day Job: practicing attorney at the Law Office of Victor R. Ramirez, LLC, located in Hyattsville

Community Involvement: head boys soccer coach at Northwestern High in Hyattsville and current defending state champions; served eight years in the Maryland House of Delegates and eight years in the Maryland State Senate; board member of Ecolatinos; and parishioner at St. Ambrose Church.

Statement to Voters: I have 16 years of public service experience as a state delegate and state senator and, with it, a proven track of getting things for my county and constituents.   

District 22 State Delegate

Anne Healey

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Age: 71

Day Job: My work as a legislator is my “day job” at this time. In addition to the annual legislative session and interim committee work, I attend community meetings throughout District 22 on a regular basis.

Community Involvement: In addition to participation in organizations such as the Hyattsville Historic Preservation Association and Hyattsville Aging in Place, as well as St. Jerome’s Parish, I have contributed to many improvements to our community through my work in the General Assembly, including the creation of the Arts District, which was the catalyst for all the redevelopment along U.S. Route 1, as well as the creation of the new communities in Hyattsville and Riverdale Park. Through persistent advocacy, I was also able to improve safety on MD 500 (Queen’s Chapel Road), including the new traffic light at Nicholson Street. I also was able to get several new public schools built in Hyattsville, including Northwestern High School, Edward M. Felegy Elementary School and the Hyattsville Middle School.

Statement to Voters: As a leader in the General Assembly who has earned the respect, trust  and cooperation of my colleagues, I hope to continue my work on major issues such as economic opportunity, the environment, transportation, education, equal opportunity for all, redevelopment of our older communities, housing and more. I also hope to continue to bring even more state resources to Prince George’s County, particularly for behavioral health services. I also have the knowledge, relationships and skills to address everyday quality of life issues in our community. 

I have lived in Hyattsville for 43 years, raised my family here and remain committed to keeping our town (and district and state) a wonderful place to live. 

Chiquita Jackson

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Age: 27 

Day Job: I am the founder and CEO of Chiquita Jackson Enterprise, which is a parent organization of CJE Consulting, P.R.O.M.I.S.E Youth and Captivating Events by Chi, located here in Prince George’s County.

Community Involvement: My advocacy mission through drafting public policy recommendations with well-known organizations such as The Aspen Institute and The Leadership Conference. My dedication to fighting for social justice has been proved by serving as the inaugural IGNITE National Fellow. I’ve curated safe spaces for young women to learn politics and increase their involvement. Aside from my professional involvement in political environments, my membership in programs that directly advocate for marginalized and underrepresented communities include Young People For (YP4), B.A. Women Alliance, PLEN (Public Leadership Education Network), the Henry Clay Institute, NAACP NextGEN, Front Line Leaders Academy, Respectability, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) and AAUW Social Change. Since June 2021, I have served as a board of directors for Light of Africa, promoting economic access to communities in disenfranchised areas throughout Africa. In addition, in January 2022, I served as the co-training director for Rising Organizers. This advocacy organization provides training and support to entry-level organizers, activists and community leaders to help create a pathway to paid organizing work.

Statement to Voters: I am running for office because our communities in District 22 deserve an advocate who will fight to ensure we have the resources and support to achieve community empowerment. My campaign has laid its foundation on the community’s needs, an essential component of excellent leadership. I believe in a legislative process that collaborates with the community to create practical solutions, prioritizing the citizens’ lived experiences. Through diligence and transparency, I will help foster an inclusive community with a thriving economy and opportunities.

Ashanti Martinez

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Age: 26

Day Job: research and policy analyst at CASA

Community Involvement: member Roosevelt Democratic Club, lead organizer PG Changemakers, co-chair Prince George’s County Pride, member St. Mary’s Landover Hills School Advisory Council

Statement to Voters: During this unique time, Prince George’s County needs a leader in Annapolis who is willing to think boldly. Someone that will have their back everyday as they continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. In Annapolis, I plan to be that fighter. I will be on the side of working people, who haven’t had a champion in a long time. Growing up in New Carrollton, attending school at St. Mary’s Landover Hills, and graduating from Parkdale High School. I’m a son of Prince George’s County. I know the challenges and triumphs District 22 has faced. Throughout my career as a nonprofit lobbyist, legislative staffer and community advocate, I have brought people together to deliver results. As an elected official, I will fight economic and housing inequality, bring back our fair share of state resources, stabilize rising housing costs, deliver higher wages and invest in green jobs of the future. Visit MartinezforMaryland.com to learn more.

Patrick A. Paschall

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Age: 37

Day Job: American Rescue Plan Program Manager, City of Hyattsville

Community Involvement: Hyattsville City Council, 2013-2017, Hyattsville Elementary School PTA, 2013-present. Zombie Run Steering Committee, 2019-present. HY-Swap. Many city committees

Statement to Voters: Howdy Hyattsville!

You may remember me from my work on the Hyattsville City Council where I wrote the sanctuary city law protecting immigrants in our community, passed a paid family leave policy, established same-day voter registration, introduced lowering the voting age and noncitizen resident voting in Hyattsville, and led on a slew of other progressive policy proposals I’m proud to have brought to our community.

I’ve also been a civil rights lawyer over a decade, where I worked with the White House and federal agencies on writing regulations and policies that serve LGBTQ people. I served as executive director of FreeState Justice, Maryland’s nonprofit that provides free legal services to low-income LGBTQ people across the state, and I’ve worked with elected officials and nonprofit leaders across our state to better serve our communities.

And now I’m asking for your vote for state delegate. At a time when the Supreme Court has announced its intention to target our communities for rollbacks on abortion rights, LGBTQ legal protections, access to contraception, and marriage equality, we need state-level leaders who are bold champions for our values.

But we have one state delegate who has a record of voting against abortion protections — from her efforts 20 years ago to strip abortion protections from the Medicaid program to her vote against funding abortion training for doctors in our state, her record against abortion rights shows she is out of sync with the values of our community.

I’ve spent my entire adult life making government work for all of us, especially those who it wasn’t designed to serve. I am a relentless champion for LGBTQ rights, racial justice, reproductive rights, immigrant protections, and dismantling ableism, and I have a long track record of passing impactful policies that reflect the values of our community. It would be my honor to serve as your state delegate.

Alonzo Washington 

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Age: 38

Day Job: executive director of CASA in Action, an organization that supports immigrant families and ensures that individuals have the core supports necessary for full participation in society.

Community Involvement: Every year I put on multiple events to give back to the community. I host annual backpack-and-school-supply drives in Palmer Park and Seabrook, as well as coat and toy drives during the winter. During the height of COVID-19, I hosted vaccination clinics for seniors in Hyattsville and Greenbelt, as well.

I’ve been active in our PTAs across the district, and have sponsored the Hyattsville Zombie Run for the past several years.

I’m also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and have been involved with several local organizations and clubs in our area over the past decade, including the Roosevelt Democratic Club. 

Statement to Voters: I’m running to build on our progressive victories over the past several years, including fully funding public education, creating progressive police reform, ensuring fair and accessible elections, and securing reproductive freedom.

As a leader in the General Assembly, I’ve also directed millions in state funding towards our district, including for the Hyattsville Teen Center, Driskell Park, Trolley Trail, and more.

Nicole Williams

2022 Headshot

Age: 44

Day Job: condo and HOA attorney at Rees Broome, P.C.

Community Involvement: In addition to serving as your delegate, I also serve as third vice chair of the Maryland Democratic Party and vice-chair of the Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities. In 2014, I was elected to the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee. I previously served as president of the Roosevelt Democratic Club and president of the Prince George’s County Young Democrats. I am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and I attend Metropolitan Baptist Church. I also previously served on the board and was chair of the C3 Board of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, the board of Emerge Maryland, and the City of Greenbelt Advisory Planning Board. 

Statement to Voters: In the time I have served as your delegate in Annapolis, I have worked tirelessly on behalf of our community on a wide range of issues, such as education, police reform and health equity. During the 2021 legislative session, I voted in support of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which will provide an additional $7 billion to revitalize our public education system through new school construction, educational programs and student/teacher support. In addition, I supported measures for additional funding to historically Black colleges and universities, increasing the accessibility of these institutions to more students. In that same year, I also voted in support of the Maryland Police Accountability Act, which repealed the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights and established a police accountability board in every county. During the 2022 legislation session, I supported the Abortion Care Access Act, which will expand the number of abortion care providers in Maryland and allocate $3.5 million for training new providers. This is just a snapshot of the work we can do together in Annapolis, and with your vote in the upcoming primaries, we can ensure that our communities have the representation they deserve for four more years. 

District 22 State Senator

Rashad D. Lloyd

Rashad D. Lloyd

Age: 30

Day Job: floor manager, Lax Wine and Spirits, Beltsville

Community Involvement: community liaison for City of Laurel At-Large Councilmember Martin Mitchell; organizing director, Schools Not Jails; member, Prince George’s County Young Democrats

Statement to Voters: Call me or shoot me a text 240.676.0340; let’s find some time to talk about the most pressing issues in your daily life, then let me draw up an action plan to show you how I will address those issues with your support. No fluff, no pomp, let’s get to work. Give yourself permission to try something new.

Paul Pinsky

Paul Pinsky

Age: 72

Day Job: I now solely work in my role as a state senator.

Community Involvement: As the state senator representing Hyattsville for many years, I have used the position to improve the quality of life in the community through both statewide policies and funding local projects. These projects include infrastructure that allowed the commercial EYA project on Route 1 (Busboys, etc.) to proceed; funding for the teen center and new police department; helping broker efforts to bring Pyramid Atlantic, among others; and initiating the completion of the Trolley Trail to the northeast branch for hiking and biking. 

Statement to Voters: My work is not finished. I was an architect of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (school reform) and sponsor of the Climate Solution Act, but there is more to be done to improve the lives of the residents of Hyattsville and all Marylanders.