By Deborah Bailey, Ph. D
AFRO Contributing Editor
Special to the AFRO
dbailey@afro.com
No gavels were ceremoniously passed on the Dec. 3, Prince George’s County Council Gavel Exchange Ceremony. In fact, the cheerful mood usually apparent at the annual meeting for Council members to vote on leadership for the upcoming legislative year quickly transitioned into a tension-filled exercise. After three failed nominations for new leadership, Jolene Ivey (District 5) the current chair will remain in her position for the time being.
(Right)Edward Burroughs III (D-Md.-8) will serve as vice chair for the Prince George’s County Council’s 2025 legislative year.
Photo courtesy of pgccouncil.us
The Council had more success in electing Edward Burroughs III (D-Md.-8) as Vice Chair for the 2025 legislative year, replacing Sydney Harrison (D-Md.-9). Burroughs was one of several council members elected in 2022, after serving on the Prince George’s County School Board from 2010-until his resignation to assume the council post.
Ivey acknowledged this year’s Council would be a rough ride for her as Council leader and the entire body. With COVID-19 funding eliminated, Prince George’s County Council was faced with tough budget decisions.
“Nobody wants to come to leadership at a time when we have to cut an already tight budget,” Ivey said to council members before the vote for the 2025 chair. “But we did not raise taxes on residents or cut positions,” she added, stating that council members successfully moved through the difficult task of major budget cutbacks as best as they could.
Nominations for council chair failed after Eric Olson (D-Md.-3), Wala Blegay (D-Md.-6) and Ivey all failed to receive the required 6 votes to win the permanent post for 2025.
Ivey and Hawkins have both declared their interest in running for Prince George’s County Executive. Senator- elect Angela Alsobrooks recently resigned her position as chair on Dec. 3, clearing the way for a special primary election to fill the County Executive role.
According to Prince George’s County law, a special election must take place within 45 days after the resignation. Then a general election will need to take place within 40 days following the primary.
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy has expressed interest in the post, along with former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker.
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