UPDATED AUGUST 3, 2011
SPECIAL ELECTION 2011
On September 20th, the residents of District 6 will elect the new County Council person to replace the vacated seat of Leslie Johnson. The polls will open at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM that day. Prince George’s County has faced some image hits as a result of the bad press and negative information that has garnered a tremendous amount of attention. But we will overcome. We are strong and will get past this trying period.
The Special Election will be watched by many, and the eventual winner must be a true leader with a demonstrated history and verifiable record of committed service to residents of District 6 and the county. I am that person, possessing the energy, passion, knowledge, honesty and integrity that District 6 residents need, want and deserve. More than 20 years of unpaid, volunteer community activism and service gives me a keen understanding of issues and concerns regarding the community, non-profits, public safety, education and business. I have worked tirelessly in collaborating with a variety of individuals and organizations to advance the interests of District 6 residents.
I humbly ask for your prayers, support, donations and your vote. You have a
choice and I trust that you will invest in me.
District 6 is the second largest councilmanic district in landmass, and has the largest number of residents. District 6 is comprised of Largo, Kettering, Lake Arbor, District Heights, Forestville, and parts of Bowie, Mitchellville, Capitol Heights, Suitland, Glendale, and Upper Marlboro. District 6 has a diverse population consisting of urban, inside the Beltway communities and suburban, outside the Beltway communities.
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Prince George’s County Council sets special election for Johnson’s replacement
Primary for District 6 seat scheduled for Sept. 20
by Daniel Valentine, Staff Writer
Returning from their summer break,Prince George’s County Council members voted in a special session Tuesday to set the special election to replace former Councilwoman Leslie Johnson in the District 6 seat.
Members voted to set a Sept. 20 primary date for the race to replace Johnson, who pleaded guilty to federal evidence tampering charges in June.
Though the council asked her to step down immediately, Johnson delayed her departure until Sunday, forcing the council to hold a special session to set the election date Tuesday.
Candidates running for the vacant seat have until Aug. 23 to file for the primary, which will be followed by a general election on Oct. 18. As Democrats dominate the district in voter registration, the primary winner usually clinches the general election.
Venus Bethea and Arthur Turner, who have announced their intentions to file for the seat, attended the 10-minute public session. Another unfiled candidate, Derrick L. Davis, who placed second in the primary, did not.
Other candidates are rumored to be considering a run, including a Republican, Daye Gardner of Bowie.
The special election ends a tense nine months for the council, which has faced public scorn for working with Johnson after her Nov. 12 arrest. Members did not call for her resignation until after Johnson pled guilty, and have refused to discuss her performance on the group.
“We stayed focused on what we were elected to do. We couldn’t allow one person to be a distraction,” said Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner (D-Dist. 4) of Bowie. “It’s unfortunate that we had to go through this.”
The District 6 seat could be crucial to County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D), who has had mixed success working with the legislative group. Baker was forced to withdraw a key piece of legislation, for the Economic Development Incentive Fund, when council members criticized the measure early this summer. In a series of meetings, members said that he did not ensure enough oversight over the $50 million fund. Baker has declared success by pushing though stormwater management legislation and was able to get council approval for his cabinet nominees.
As the ninth vote on the council, the new member has the ability to break ties in the group.
Baker has been seen at fundraisers last week for Davis.
County spokesman Scott L. Peterson said that Baker has not formally endorsed Davis, though Turner said that residents understand where Baker’s support lies.
“We all know what he’s doing,” Turner said.
Turner said he is not sure if council candidates would try to win an endorsement from Johnson, who enjoyed popularity in her district throughout the criminal process.
“She has some respect in some circles,” said Turner, who said he wants the endorsement from “the people of District 6.”
Council members convened in a closed session immediately after the meeting to consult with lawyers. Staff members said the discussion was on a continuing lawsuit by Reaching Hearts, a Laurelchurch that the council has denied zoning approval to over several years.
The next regular session of thePrince George’s County Council will be on Sept. 13.
