Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks will become a member of the U.S. Senate in January. If she waits until just before to give up her current position, her successor will be chosen from among the members of the departmental council who are considering a promotion.

His successor could come from the county council, but it’s likely whoever finishes his term will do so by winning another special election next year. Alsobrooks is expected to relinquish her post as county executive sooner rather than later, triggering a special election likely to stretch into at least early summer.

If that happens, Chief Administrative Officer Tara Jackson will serve as county executive until that election is held and certified, although she is not expected to be a candidate for the full-time position. However.

So who is?

The most cited names include two current members of the county council: the county attorney general and someone who previously held that position. That includes State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, who is in her second term as the county’s top prosecutor.

As a former state delegate who represented the central part of the county, she could be considered the most progressive of the names mentioned so far as candidates. She would likely get support from the county’s most progressive groups if she runs, which is expected.

General Council member Calvin Hawkins is a charismatic figure on the council, but one who has had trouble with his more progressive colleagues during his six years in office. He has worked to heal some of those wounds over the past year.

Prior to his election to the County Council in 2018, he was a senior advisor to former County Executive Rushern Baker. He is also close to Alsobrooks and his family. Hawkins has hosted several events around the county aimed at boosting his name locally.

At-large Councilmember Jolene Ivey, who currently chairs the council and just won a special election for a countywide seat, is also expected to run for county executive. While her husband just won a second term in Congress, Jolene Ivey is just as well known in county politics, having served as a state delegate for several years before running for lieutenant governor statewide in 2014 .

She nearly ran against Alsobrooks for County Executive in 2018, before running and winning the District 5 seat on the County Council.

Baker’s name is also mentioned as a possible candidate. He served two terms in Prince George’s County, from 2010 to 2018, then ran for governor in 2018 and 2022, failing to advance from primaries each time.

Baker pushed for major economic development projects while in office, including MGM National Harbor and moving the FBI headquarters to the Greenbelt — a project that appears likely to be abandoned by the new Trump administration.

If a special election is held, a primary is unlikely to take place until early spring, which would push the special general election until at least early summer. It is possible that other names will be added before then.

Get the latest news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2024 WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located in the European Economic Area.