By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com
U.S. Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks (D) officially resigned from her post as county executive for Prince George’s County, Md. on Dec. 2. Alsobrooks was the first woman to hold the position and has led the county since 2018.
Chief Administrative Officer Tara H. Jackson will now step in to serve as acting county executive.
“Thank you for your trust and partnership as we worked to build a stronger, united Prince George’s,” wrote Alsobrooks in a Dec. 2 statement. “Serving the residents of this county has been the honor of my lifetime, and I am deeply proud of all we have accomplished together.”
Alsobrooks, a lifelong Prince Georgian, defeated former Republican Governor Larry Hogan for the Senate seat. She will be the first Black woman and second woman to represent Maryland when her six-year term begins on Jan. 3. As head of the county, Alsobrooks worked to enhance infrastructure, construct new schools and open a mental health and addiction care facility.
Governor Wes Moore, an early endorser of Alsobrooks’ senate run, thanked her for her dedicated service to the county.
“Angela worked tirelessly to make Prince George’s County a safer, stronger place to call home— we’re deeply grateful for her effort and for the results she achieved,” wrote Moore in a Dec. 2 statement. “We look forward to continuing our work together to uplift Maryland families, protect fundamental freedoms, and build a brighter future for our state in her new role as U.S. Senator, as we welcome the opportunity to continue to serve the people of Prince George’s County alongside acting County Executive Tara Jackson.”
Recently, Alsobrooks joined Senators Ben Cardin (D) and Chris Van Hollen (D) to endorse former Democratic Governor Martin O’Malley as chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). O’Malley, who recently resigned as commissioner of the Social Security Administration, faces contenders, including DNC Vice Chairman Ken Martin, Chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party Ben Wikler and former Maryland Senate candidate Robert Houton.
“As Marylanders, we are proud to support and endorse former Governor Martin O’Malley for DNC chair. His leadership plan centers around a 50-state strategy focused on jobs, opportunity and economic security for all,” they wrote in a Nov. 26 statement. “There’s no question that Democrats stand on the side of hardworking Americans. We need a DNC chair, like Governor O’Malley, focused on making it clear to voters that Democrats will listen to Americans’ concerns and deliver real solutions for their families and our country.”
Prince George’s County Council Member at-large Calvin S. Hawkins has already thrown his hat in the ring to become the next county executive. The D.C. native formerly served as a local emergency management leader and a senior adviser to former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III.
In a Dec. 2 statement, Hawkins announced his intentions to run for the position, sharing his vision for a Prince George’s County that embraces local business owners, partners with faith and nonprofit communities and has schools with world-class resources.
“We will prioritize the welfare of our seniors by addressing the lack of affordable housing and continuing to expand their access to quality care, and we will attract economic development that drives the region’s vibrant economy while uplifting local businesses so that they are not left out,” wrote Hawkins in the statement. “I will put people first, from educators to entrepreneurs and our re-entering citizens, actively engaging our diverse county to understand everyone’s needs. I strongly believe that our strength lies within the questions we ask and the conversations we have. Prince George’s County needs a leader with a proven record of listening— at people’s doorsteps, on the phone, at the supermarket— so we can forge a path forward that works for everyone.”
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