Latest news with #Braveboy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Political notes: Braveboy wastes no time on hires, Shoemaker makes time for family, more lawsuits
Prince George's County At-Large Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, right, congratulates State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy on her apparent victory in Tuesday's special election for county executive. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Less than 24 hours after Aisha Braveboy declared victory in the special election for Prince George's County executive, the Democrat and current county state's attorney is already making moves. Braveboy announced Wednesday that Maxene Bardwell will serve as chief administrative officer and second-in-command for the county. Bardwell, a Prince George's resident, currently works as an internal audit manager in the Montgomery County Executive's office. 'I consider this offer to be just an example of forward thinking by County Executive-elect Braveboy to make sure that she has best-in-class skill and experience in her administration working for the people of Prince George's County,' Bardwell said in a statement. Braveboy's will not be official until next week, as election officials are still counting and certifying votes. But in election night returns, the latest posted by county officials, she had just over 89% of the vote over Republican challenger Jonathan White. But event before Tuesday's election, after surviving a nine-candidate Democratic primary in March, Braveboy had pulled together a preliminary transition team comprised of some top elected officials and business and community leaders. The team included transition co-chairs include Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) and Bowie State University President Aminta Breaux, Capitol Connections President Michael Arrington and High-Quality Care Nursing CEO Joy Davis. About a dozen people are on an executive committee that includes state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George's), Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) and Erek Barron, former U.S. Attorney for Maryland. Braveboy's transition team also notes various committee co-chairs, including At-Large Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) to serve on a group dealing with Corrections and Returning Citizens Services, and former county executive County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, co-chair of a committee to assess the county's finances, government structure and operational efficiency. Both Hawkins and Baker ran against Braveboy in the March primary. State Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince George's) will co-chair a committee focused on education, employment and workforce development. If her victory is confirmed, Braveboy would be sworn in on June 19, the Juneteenth holiday. When Carroll County voters go to elect a state's attorney in 2026, current State's Attorney Haven Shoemaker Jr. will not be an option. Shoemaker, a Republican, announced Monday that he will not seek reelection after serving one term as the county's top prosecutor. In a statement released by his office, Shoemaker said that serving as state's attorney 'has been the honor of a lifetime,' but added that 'at this point in my life, it's time to let someone else have a try.' 'By the time I leave office, I will have been an attorney for 34 years and will have held political office for 30,' his statement said. 'It is time for me to spend some quality time with my wife, Patty, at long last. She has made tremendous sacrifices as I pursued careers in both the law and politics, and without her support, I would not have accomplished anything.' Shoemaker was born in Baltimore but moved with his family to North East where he attended high school before earning a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 1987. After two years in the Army National Guard, he attended Widener University School of Law, graduating with honors in 1992, and opened his own law practice in Hampstead in 1994. His political career began with election to the Hampstead Town Council 1997, followed by election as major in 2003, a job he held until 2010, when he was elected to the Carroll County Commission. Shoemaker was elected to the House of Delegates in 2014 and served from 2015 to 2023, serving as minority whip in 2022. He was elected to his current position in 2022. 'I still have a year and a half left of my term. I will continue to work diligently for you during this time as I have over the last 30 plus years,' his statement said. 'The people of Carroll County deserve nothing less.' Has Maryland moved from friend of the court to best friend of the court? Attorney General Anthony Brown said Wednesday that Maryland has signed on to friend of the court briefs in two separate federal lawsuits in as many days. Maryland was one of 19 states and the District of Columbia that filed an amicus curiae — friend of the court — brief on Tuesday urging the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Michigan's ban on 'conversion therapy,' the medically discredited therapy that claims to convert the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ individuals. A federal district court upheld Michigan's law restricting the therapy, but that ruling was appealed by the therapist and the Catholic Charities group in southeastern Michigan that sued to overturn the law. Maryland banned the use of conversion therapy on minors in 2018, one of 25 states with laws on the books — Arizona and Pennsylvania have prohibitions issued through executive orders — restricting such therapy. The Michigan brief said all the states 'have strong interests in regulating the practice of health care, including care relating to mental health, within their boundaries to protect public health and safety. Amici States additionally share compelling interests in protecting the health, safety, and well-being of children and youth, and in affirming the dignity and equal worth and treatment of LGBTQI+ minors.' Maryland, other states, take more legal actions against Trump administration And Maryland was one 18 states and the District that filed an amicus brief Wednesday urging the full 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a ruling by a three-judge panel of the court in a Voting Rights Act case brought by a tribe in North Dakota. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians sued the state of North Dakota in 2021, claiming that the state's redistricting plan illegally diluted Native American voting strength in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. A federal district judge agreed and ordered the state to redraw its districts, and when it did not, the judge imposed the tribe's recommended redistricting plan. But on appeal, a panel of the circuit court overturned that ruling, finding that Section 2 applies to states and other governments, but does not confer a right on private individuals to bring a legal challenge. The Turtle Mountain brief argues that not only does Section 2 allow private actions in voting rights cases, but participation by private groups is critical to protecting those rights. 'Private parties are instrumental in identifying voting-related issues, and for decades, private actions have been a welcome and necessary supplement to state efforts to ensure legal compliance,' the brief said, supplementing federal prosecutors and state officials who may not have the resources to pursue voting rights cases. 'Private parties are typically best equipped to identify and pursue violations. They have extensive on-the-ground knowledge and develop the necessary connections with stakeholders and community members to build cases.' With Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley term-limited after serving two four-year terms, voters may be starting to think about the next mayor, who will be chosen this fall. Residents have a chance to hear the two announced candidates so far at a mayoral debate next week. The June 10 debate between two Democrats, Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles and former Alderman Jared Littmann, is being hosted by the Caucus of African American Leaders at the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center. Carl Snowden, convener of the caucus, wrote in email Monday that topics up for discussion include affordable housing, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs and other matters affecting the city. Another topic could be sanctuary cities: Annapolis was one of 10 municipalities in Maryland identified by the Trump administration last month as sanctuary jurisdictions, along with eight counties and the state itself. The administration has threatened federal funding for the more than 500 jurisdictions it identified nationwide. Snowden said his group will have a monthly meeting one hour before the debate scheduled to start at 6 p.m. CONTACT US 'We contend that an informed electorate is the key to an effective democracy,' Snowden said. 'We commend all candidates who are running for public office. They are willing to be scrutinized, chastised, and criticized in their pursuit of serving the public.' Littman, who served on the city council for five years until his term ended in 2017, declared his candidacy in January 2024. He has also worked as an associate county attorney in Montgomery County and served on the national board of True Value Hardware. Pindell Charles, a retired prosecutor and member of the council since 2009, seeks to make history as the city's first elected Black mayor. Alderman John Thomas Chambers Jr. (R), who was Black, served on an interim basis for two months in 1981, following the suicide of Mayor Gustav Akerland (R). Candidates have until July 28 to file for the Nov. 4 election, according to the city's election calendar. The caucus plans to hold a candidate's forum after the deadline for any contested city council races in the city's eight wards. The primary election is scheduled for Sept. 6 and the general election Nov. 4.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Braveboy outlines plans as newly elected Prince George's County executive
KETTERING, Md. () — Current Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy won the special election to become county executive. Unofficial results show Braveboy secured more than 89% of the vote. She said she's excited to be in charge of the whole county and is committed to bringing new opportunities and making life better for people who live there. 'It felt like Prince George's County was finally unified. We had several members of the council there, the state delegation, and I had gotten calls from members of Congress,' Braveboy said. Shayla Adams-Stafford projected winner of Prince George's County District 5 County Council seat After more than six years as State's Attorney tackling crime, she said she's ready to lead the county. On that front, she wants more collaboration between police and the two dozen municipal police departments. 'These are agencies that are on the borders where we're seeing a disproportionate amount of crime. So working with them will only make us safer and stronger,' Braveboy said. One of her top priorities is economic development, especially with 70,000 federal workers out of a job. 'Looking at ways to reposition those workers who have been displaced back into the workforce, as well as expanding local opportunities to procure more from businesses located in Prince George's County,' Braveboy said. Tenants say church took down Pride decorations at DC apartment building Braveboy already has plans after Six Flags shuts down later this summer season. The amusement park generates $3.5 million for the county every year. 'But they sit on 500 acres of prime real estate that, so I believe [this] is [an] opportunity for us to reimagine that area and bring users there that will actually generate more revenue for the county,' Braveboy said. The Commanders are also scheduled to leave town in several years. Braveboy sees an opportunity to bring in new revenue. 'I have already met with the Commander's leadership team to talk about some of their thoughts, around building a sports stadium for youth athletics as well as professional athletics,' she said. 'I want to use that thoughtful opportunity to create really a hub for not only athletes, but for those who serve athletes, like doctors and other professional,s so that we can have a sports medicine specialty and a hub right there in Largo.' Other focuses include improving education. 'We need to improve outcomes for our students and so that means working more collaboratively, with entities like park and planning, with social services and family services to give families and children the support that they need in order to be successful,' Braveboy said. DC Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services discusses cuts to Medicaid She also intends to beautify the county through better upkeep. 'I'm committed to keeping our roadways free from litter, mowing the lawn in the medians and trimming the trees and doing all the things that show that we care about our county,' Braveboy said. Braveboy's swearing-in will be in two weeks on June 19. Gov. Wes Moore is expected to attend and speak. 'It's going to be definitely a new role. It's going to be a lot more responsibility, but not something that I'm unfamiliar with,' Braveboy said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Braveboy declares victory in Prince George's county executive special election
Democrat Aisha Braveboy was on her way to becoming Prince George's County's next county executive Tuesday night after sweeping the majority of the county's vote in a special election that drew more than 31,000 votes. Braveboy, 50, who has served as Prince George's state's attorney since 2019, was well ahead of Republican Jonathan White, an Air Force veteran, garnering most of the mail-in ballots and votes cast in person, according to unofficial results.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Braveboy projected to easily claim Prince George's County executive seat
Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy, right, gives victory speech June 3 standing beside her parents, Cuthbert and Norma Braveboy. after declaring victory in special general election for county executive. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) It's still unofficial, but with 89% of the vote in early returns there's little doubt: Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy is likely the next county executive. Braveboy, standing beside her parents, and sporting matching outfits with her boyfriend, Will Anderson, told a crowd of several hundred people at an election night watch party at SoBe Restaurant and Lounge in Seabrook that her victory represents unity for Maryland's second-largest jurisdiction. 'This is the first time in a very long time that we have a united executive and legislative branch,' Braveboy, 50, said. 'Everyone who has been elected to serve, we have all agreed that we are going to work together to serve you and not ourselves.' One of the first priorities in the office, Braveboy said, is simply cleaning up the county. 'Your roadways, the trees that need to be trimmed, the hedges that need to be cut back, the grass that needs to be mowed,' she said. 'I will prioritize that because this county should look as beautiful as the people in this room.' According to election returns from the county's special general election, as of 10:41 p.m. Tuesday night, the Democrat had received 27,505 or 89% of the votes, against her Republican opponent Jonathan White, who garnered 3,024, or 10%. There are still thousands of votes to count — more than 62,000 ballots had been cast by last Thursday in early voting — but Braveboy backers were confident declaring victory. Among those to celebrate and congratulate Braveboy's victory was Attorney General Anthony Brown (D), the first person to declare an early victory. 'We got a new leader in Prince George's County,' Brown said. 'We got a county executive who's going to be focused on public safety, public education, public health and economic development opportunity. The people of Prince George's County [have] spoken tonight.' Some of the others to congratulate Braveboy included Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel), County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III (D) and former Del. Darryl Barnes. A few remarks even came from one of Braveboy's special primary election opponents, At-Large Councilmember Calvin Hawkins. 'Most of you in this room, if not all of you, supported her to be the next county executive. I was one of those that thought I should be the county executive,' Hawkins said. 'Aisha Braveboy, tonight belongs to you and Prince George's County.' Braveboy's Republican opponent, White, 51, a retired Air Force veteran, said in an email less than five hours before the polls closed Tuesday that he sought the executive position because 'people are tired of promises that never turn into progress.' 'I understand that Prince George's County has long been a Democratic stronghold, and I respect the history and values that many residents associate with that affiliation,' he said. 'But I believe voters are ready to look beyond party labels, especially when the issues affecting our communities are getting worse, not better.' But the voters overwhelmingly chose Braveboy to fill out the remaining two-year term of former County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who stepped down in December to take her U.S. Senate seat. Besides the voters, Braveboy had the state's biggest cheerleader to back her: Gov. Wes Moore (D). The state's attorney won in a crowded special primary election among nine Democrats, including Hawkins, who was endorsed by Alsobrooks, and former County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who had the endorsement of state treasurer and county resident Dereck Davis (D). The county's chief administrative officer, Tara H. Jackson, who has been acting county executive since Alsobrooks stepped down, chose not to seek the seat. In terms of working with the County Council, three council members backed Braveboy's candidacy: Burroughs, Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha and Councilmember Wala Blegay. Voters in Tuesday's special election also chose another Braveboy supporter for a council seat: former school board member Shayla Adams-Stafford, received 2,583, or 92% of the votes against GOP challenger Fred Price Jr., who received 189, or 7% of the votes in the special election for an open District 5 council seat. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Adams-Stafford will fill the seat vacated last year by Councilmember Jolene Ivey, who won an at-large seat and then briefly sought the Democratic nomination in the county executive race. She withdrew her candidacy, but still came in fourth place. By withdrawing, Ivey spared county residents the prospect of another special election for her at-large council seat. Adams-Stafford will represent the area that includes Cheverly, Colmar Manor and Glenarden. 'We are in a challenging position when it comes to several of the large projects we were hoping would stay in the county,' Adams-Stafford said in an interview at SoBe Restaurant. 'Having a unified voice, or a cohesive voice around these projects from members of the council and the county executive, I think that really helps our position when we're looking outward to bring business here and to bring new ideas here.' The county's Board of Elections is scheduled to have votes certified by June 13. Swearing-in of the new county executive and new council member is scheduled for June 19, the federal holiday of Juneteenth, also observed by the state and county, when government offices will be closed. Braveboy's selection ends this year's special primary and general elections that cost about $4.2 million, or $2.1 million each. But her selection by voters won't cost taxpayers anything because the county's circuit court judges will select a replacement to serve out the remaining two years of her term. One person interested in the state's attorney position is County Councilmember Wanika Fisher (D), who worked as a prosecutor in the state's attorney's office in 2017 and then served as a state delegate from January 2019 to December 2022. 'You can't live out your best dreams, or the things you want from your family or yourself or your business, without having safety and justice,' Fisher, who turns 37 this month, said in an interview Tuesday. 'I really am excited to get my hands fully engaged in what that office has to do with when it comes to our criminal justice system and making sure that Prince Georgians are protected.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Aisha Braveboy projected winner for Prince George's County executive
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. () — Aisha Braveboy (D) is the projected winner in the special election race for Prince George's County executive, according to the The special race was held to replace Democratic Angela Alsobrooks after she won a seat in the U.S. Senate to represent Maryland during the November election last year. Maryland Governor endorses Aisha Braveboy for Prince George's County Executive On Tuesday night, the unofficial election results showed that all precincts had reported, and Braveboy had surpassed Republican Jonathan White in the race. She won 80% of the vote, whereas White had won 10%. Braveboy was Prince George's County's state attorney. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
