Hyattsville area residents are experiencing some shifts in their government representation, as former state Sen. Paul Pinsky and state Del. Alonzo Washington move to different roles.
Newly elected Maryland Gov. Wes Moore picked Pinsky to lead the Maryland Energy Administration, which left his senate seat vacant.
The Prince George’s County Central Democratic Committee is responsible for filling certain vacancies in the county. The committee voted unanimously to recommend Washington to fill Pinsky’s senate seat, and Moore confirmed the selection. Washington was sworn in on Jan. 30.
This leaves Washington’s District 22 seat in the state House of Delegates open. (The other two District 22 delegates, Anne Healey and Nicole Williams, are keeping their seats.)
At least three people intend to seek the open seat: Rush Baker, the son of former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III; Ashanti Martinez, who ran for the seat in last July’s election and came in fourth; and Molly McKee-Seabrook, a former chief of staff for state Sen. Bill Ferguson.
The Democratic central committee will recommend someone to fill Washington’s seat, and Moore will confirm the appointment. Candidates for the open seat must file with the committee by 5 p.m. on Feb. 7, and the committee will hold a hearing on Feb. 9.
