Prokop for District 6, P. O. Box 83, Annapolis, MD (2026)

09/20/2026

Many of you have asked me to break down the differences between Bill 23-26 and Bill 65-26 more clearly.

So I hope this helps...

The infographic here captures the key differences between the bill the County Council rejected in April and the replacement bill that had its public hearing yesterday.

The most important takeaway is in the bottom line:

Bill 65-26 is not nothing. But it is narrower and less forceful than what we had before.

The two differences that concern me most as a resident:

1. Who is covered. The original bill expressly included the developer's spouse, children, parents, siblings, attorneys, engineers and lobbyists. The new bill leaves those relationships out of the definition entirely.

2. No criminal consequences. Under the original bill, making a prohibited contribution was a misdemeanor - punishable by up to one year in jail. Under the new bill, the maximum is a $1,000 civil fine. For a developer seeking approval on a multi-million dollar project, that is nothing.

The public hearing is tomorrow. Now we wait to see what the Council does.

The question remains the same:

Will they choose the people - or will they choose the developers, yet again?

09/20/2026

The "New" Ethics Bill Has a Public Hearing Monday - But Did They Leave a Loophole Open?

In my last post, I explained why Bill 65-26 is different from Bill 23-26, which the County Council rejected earlier this year.

Instead of giving you another list of legal provisions, let me show you what one of those differences actually means.

Imagine this:

A developer owns a piece of property and needs a zoning-text amendment from the County Council to allow an apartment project.

The developer wants to give $5,000 to a Council member's campaign.

Under both bills, the developer personally would be prohibited from making that contribution while the property would benefit from the pending zoning legislation. Bill 65-26 expressly contains that prohibition.

But now change just one fact.

The developer's spouse writes the $5,000 check from the spouse's own money.

Under Bill 23-26, the spouse was expressly included in the definition of the property owner. So were the developer's parents, siblings and children.

The bill also expressly covered certain agents working on the matter, including attorneys, engineers, land-use consultants, traffic consultants, traffic engineers and registered lobbyists.

In other words, Bill 23-26 expressly brought those relationships within the County's restrictions.

Now look at Bill 65-26.

Its new definition of "covered person" includes the applicant, associated property owner, certain company officers and principals, controlling entities, managing agents and controlled political committees.

But a spouse, parent, sibling or child is not automatically a covered person simply because of that family relationship. And Bill 65-26 does not reproduce Bill 23-26's broader definition covering outside attorneys, engineers, consultants and lobbyists either.

So if the spouse is acting independently and using the spouse's own money, Bill 65-26 itself does not expressly prohibit that contribution.

That is the difference I want residents to understand.

One important clarification: this does not mean a developer can secretly give money to a spouse, attorney or someone else and have that person make the contribution for the developer. Maryland law separately prohibits making a campaign payment in someone else's name.

But that still leaves an important policy question:

If Bill 23-26 expressly covered spouses, children, parents, siblings and certain agents, attorneys, lobbyists, etc., why were those relationships not expressly carried into Bill 65-26?

Bill 65-26 contains real disclosure requirements and real contribution restrictions. It is not an empty bill.

But the definition of who is covered is materially different.

And the timing will understandably get attention.

Bill 23-26 was defeated on April 20. Bill 65-26 is now scheduled for a public hearing on September 21, shortly before the November election. Those dates do not prove anyone's motive. But they do make a reasonable question worth asking publicly:

Why was the broader bill rejected earlier this year, and why does the new version leave out some of those protections?

The public hearing on Bill 65-26 is:

📅 Monday, September 21, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis

The County says residents can submit testimony ahead of the meeting or sign up to provide spoken testimony. Bill 65-26 is currently listed as pending with its hearing scheduled for September 21.

Read the bill. Ask why the definitions changed. And if you have a position on Bill 65-26, put it on the public record before the Council acts.

And then watch what happens.

If this bill passes in its current form - with the family members and agents left out, and no criminal consequences - voters should ask a serious question: why was the loophole allowed to stay?

The Council chose to defeat the stronger bill in April. Now they have a second chance. The question is simple: will they choose the people, or will they choose the developers - yet again?

We are watching.

To testify on-line, go to:
https://www.aacounty.org/county-council/meetings/meeting-participation

09/17/2026

An Announcement That May Surprise You - And Why I Am Making It

I started my campaign for County Council because I wanted to prove something important: That it is still possible to have a representative who truly cares about the people.

Not because of party affiliation. Not because of political pressure. Not because of special interest groups, developers, or political circles.

But because residents deserve someone who puts their interests first - always.

Our entire county is facing a crisis of trust. Too many decisions about us are being made without us. Too often, decisions are shaped behind closed doors before residents even know what is happening. Too often, special interests understand the process better than the people who actually live with the consequences.
And too often, by the time residents are invited to speak, the important decisions have already been made.

That is not how government is supposed to work. District 6 needs a voice. And not only District 6. Communities across Anne Arundel County need representatives who are willing to listen before decisions are made - not after.

We need to stop voting for the same kind of politics over and over again and expecting a different result. Because if we keep doing that, we end up exactly where we are now:
Residents ignored.
Promises repeated.
Decisions made behind closed doors.
And people wondering why their voices no longer matter.

Although I did not win the primary, my commitment to District 6 did not end. I said from the beginning that this campaign was never about me.
It was about the people.
It was about transparency.
It was about fiscal responsibility.
It was about infrastructure-first development.
It was about protecting the character and quality of life of our communities.
It was about making sure residents are brought into the room before the vote - not after.

That work continues.

And today, I am happy to announce that I am endorsing George Gallagher for Anne Arundel County Council, District 6.

Yes, I am a Democrat.
And yes, George is a Republican.

But I have said many times that I do not believe we should vote blindly based on party affiliation. We should look at character. Experience. Priorities. Judgment. And whether a candidate is truly willing to put residents first.

George Gallagher is one of us. He is a longtime Anne Arundel County resident, a former Planning Commissioner, and someone who understands what happens when government stops working for the people.

He understands how the process works. He understands how residents get left out of decision-making. And he is committed to changing that.

This spring, George testified in favor of Bill 23-26 - the bill to restrict developer influence in county politics. He is the only candidate on the November ballot in District 6 who did.

That matters.

Because it is one thing to say you support transparency. It is another thing to stand up publicly for a bill that would limit the influence of developer money before you are even elected. George knows how to say no to special interests and put residents first.

His promise is simple:
He will bring your voice back into the room where decisions get made - before the vote, not after. That is exactly what District 6 needs. The people who live in District 6 should have a real voice in what happens in District 6.

As the former Democratic candidate for County Council in District 6, I did not make this decision lightly. But for me, this decision is clear. I am not endorsing based on party affiliation. I am endorsing based on character, experience, judgment, and commitment to residents.

I am endorsing the candidate I believe will best carry forward the priorities my campaign was built on. For me, that candidate is George Gallagher.

District 6 deserves a representative who listens. A representative who understands the process. A representative who is not afraid to challenge special interests. A representative who will put residents first.

That is why I am proud to endorse George Gallagher for County Council in District 6.

This is not about red or blue.

This is about us. Our communities. Our future. And bringing the people’s voice back into county government.

--- Dominik Prokop
Former Democratic Candidate for Anne Arundel County Council, District 6
Always on the side of District 6 residents.
To learn more about George Gallagher: https://votegeorgegallagher.com/
By Authority of: Prokop for District 6, T. Y. Prokop, Treasurer

08/04/2026

After a much-needed rest following the primary, I am happy to be back.

Over the next few days, I will be making an announcement that may surprise some of you - but those who know me well know that I have always put the interests of District 6 residents above party politics.

Stay tuned.

But first, something important is happening at the Anne Arundel County Council, and I think the public should know about it.

Earlier this year, a bill was introduced that would have done something simple and straightforward: restrict campaign contributions from property owners, applicants, and related parties connected to zoning, land-use, and development matters.

That bill was voted down.

As many of you know, during my campaign I was a strong supporter of Bill 23-26, and I was very vocal about the council members who voted it down - including some who are now seeking higher office.

Now, before the November election, a new version has been introduced.

But this is not the same bill.

Bill 65-26 is not meaningless. It does include disclosure requirements and limited contribution prohibitions. But compared to Bill 23-26, it is significantly weaker.

Here is what changed:

- The original bill had broader, cleaner prohibitions and was written to be construed liberally. The new version is narrower, more complex, and easier to work around.

- The original bill carried criminal penalties for violations - including possible jail time. The new version relies on civil fines only, capped at $1,000 per violation.

- The original bill included strong recusal-or-return requirements before certain zoning and land-use votes. The new version does not include that same strong recusal-or-return structure.

- The original bill gave the Ethics Commission the ability to seek an injunction, including a request to void an official action taken in violation of the law. The new version does not include that same power.

- The original bill had a two-year lookback period. The new version looks back only 12 months.

- The original bill explicitly covered family members and agents of applicants, including spouses, siblings, children, attorneys, engineers, land-use consultants, traffic consultants, traffic engineers, and lobbyists. The new bill narrows that network significantly.

That last point matters.

Because if you leave the obvious door open for money to flow through a spouse, a sibling, a consultant, a lobbyist or someone connected to the applicant, do not be surprised when that door is used.

The residents of Anne Arundel County deserve the real thing - not an election-season imitation of it.

The timing raises serious questions.

After the stronger bill failed, a weaker version is now being introduced before the November election. Residents are entitled to ask why. They are entitled to ask who benefits from the watered-down version. And they are entitled to demand that real reform not be weakened behind technical language.

To be fair, a watered-down bill is still better than nothing. I will always acknowledge progress, even when it is incomplete.

But we should not pretend this is the same reform that was rejected earlier this year.

I will be honest with you: I do not understand why this is so difficult.

Putting the interests of the people first should not require legislation to remind elected officials of basic ethics.

If you are a true representative of the people, you should not need a bill to tell you that taking money from people connected to development projects while voting on those projects creates a serious conflict of trust.

You should already know that.

You should feel it.

And if an elected official does not see that conflict of trust, residents are entitled to ask whose interests are really being protected.

This is where the public comes in.

The public hearing for Bill 65-26 is scheduled for September 21.

Show up. Speak up. And if you cannot attend in person, submit written comments.

Tell the Council what you believe should be in this bill, including the explicit coverage of family members and agents that Bill 23-26 had and Bill 65-26 does not.

They need to hear from the people this bill is meant to protect - not just the lawyers, insiders, and lobbyists who may try to water it down even further.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

It never has been.

Dominik Prokop. Always on the side of District 6 residents.

Approved by Prokop for District 6, T. Y. Prokop, Treasurer.

06/25/2026

We’re Not Done. We’re Here to Stay.

Once again, thank you all for your support.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every volunteer, every donor, every voter, every neighbor who opened a door, placed a sign, sent a message, shared a post, or believed that government can still work for the people.

The primary did not go the way we hoped.

But what we built together is real.

This campaign was never only about one seat on the County Council. It was about something much bigger: transparency, fiscal responsibility, accountability, and a government that treats residents as the foundation of every decision - not as an afterthought.

Those issues do not disappear because one election ended.

The need for honest government is still here.

The need for affordable housing that is actually affordable is still here.

The need for infrastructure-first development is still here.

The need for public dollars to be spent responsibly is still here.

The need for representatives who listen before decisions are made is still here.

And so are we.

We will continue to stand up for District 6, protect our communities, and fight for a government that works with the people - not over them.

In the coming weeks, I will be making an important announcement about what comes next.

It may be unexpected. It will be exciting. But most importantly, I believe it will bring back hope.

Please stay tuned. Please stay involved. And please stay in touch.

We started something real.

And we are not done.

Dominik

Approved by Prokop for District 6, T.Y. Prokop, Treasurer.

06/24/2026

Thank You, District 6.

Last night did not go the way we hoped, but I want every single person who voted for us, volunteered, put up a sign, knocked on a door, or simply believed that change was possible to know this: it meant everything.

We ran this campaign the right way. No developer money. No political debts. No hidden agenda. Just a genuine belief that government should work for the people, not the other way around.

We did not win last night, but this is not the end - it is the beginning.

We will keep working - holding our elected officials accountable, demanding transparency, and making sure the interests of District 6 are always put first. That work does not stop because the election is over.

Congratulations to Gavin Buckley on winning the Democratic Primary. And to the other candidates in this race - it was an honor to get to know each of you. Thank you for putting yourselves forward to serve.

Through this campaign, I met so many wonderful people from across District 6 - neighbors, families, business owners, teachers, seniors - every conversation, every door, every story you trusted me with, I carry with me.

To every volunteer who knocked on doors in the heat, every neighbor who hosted a sign in their yard, every donor who chipped in what they could - you built this campaign. Not consultants. Not insiders. You.

And to my wife and our daughter, who stood by me through every long day of this race - I could not have done any of this without you.

There is more to come. I will share more when the time is right.

From the bottom of my heart: Thank you.

Government works for the people, not the other way around. That will always be true.

— Dominik

06/23/2026

Polls are OPEN. Today is Election Day - 7 AM to 8 PM. This is the day District 6 decides who represents us on County Council for the next four years.

When I launched this campaign, I made one core promise: I would represent the people of District 6 without being influenced by developers, special interests, or political circles. I am still standing on that promise today. I have taken zero developer dollars. I do not owe anyone political favors. The only endorsement I seek is from the residents of District 6.

This is a Democratic Primary. If you are registered as a Democrat, you can vote for me today. If you are registered Unaffiliated or with another party, you unfortunately cannot vote in this primary, but the most powerful thing you can do is text three Democratic neighbors right now and ask them to vote.

Early vote turnout across Maryland is up sharply this year - voters are showing up because they understand what is at stake. Your neighbors are showing up. The question is whether you will too.

If you have a few minutes this morning, vote now, before the day gets away from you.

If you can't go this morning, make a plan. Lunch break. After work. Right before 8 PM. Pick your time and tell someone you trust to hold you to it.

Find your polling place: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/PollingPlaceSearch

I am asking for your vote. For transparency. For fiscal responsibility. For affordable housing built for residents, not investors. For schools that work for our kids. For a Council member who answers to you, not to special interests.

I will be at the polls myself this morning. I hope to see you there.

Thank you, District 6. Let's bring this home.

- Dominik Prokop, Democrat for County Council, District 6

By authority of Prokop for District 6, T. Y. Prokop, Treasurer

06/23/2026

On Tuesday, June 23, District 6 makes a choice. You can vote for more of the same - the same politics, the same insiders, the same special-interest money making decisions about us, without us.

Or you can vote for a neighbor. Someone who has spent 20 years building real organizations right here in our community. Someone who took zero developer dollars. Someone who built RealVote App — a transparency tool — even before being elected.

I do not owe anyone political favors. The only endorsement I seek is from the residents of District 6.

Take 30 seconds to watch. Then make a plan to vote on Tuesday.

Polls open at 7 AM and close at 8 PM. Find your polling place: dominikprokop.com/vote

If you do not show up on Tuesday, others will decide for you. This race will be won by the neighbors who walk in and cast a ballot.

I will be at the polls myself. I hope to see you there.

— Dominik Prokop, Democrat for County Council, District 6

By authority of Prokop for District 6, T. Y. Prokop, Treasurer

06/22/2026

Tomorrow, you choose who represents District 6 on the County Council. This seat decides what gets built in your neighborhood, how your tax dollars are spent, how your schools are funded, and whether residents have a seat at the table.

I am running to build a District 6 where our kids and grandkids can stay and build their futures.

Where schools are fully funded and decisions about our children are made with parents at the table.

Where essential workers, teachers, first responders, young families, and seniors can actually afford to live here.

Where you can trust again that your government sees you as the foundation — not the afterthought.

This race will be decided by those who show up.

In a closed Democratic Primary, fewer than 1 in 4 voters typically decide the outcome. If you do not vote tomorrow, a small group of people will choose the next four years of decisions about your neighborhood, your family, your future - without you.

This is our chance to take our district back. But only if you show up.

I am asking for your vote.

I built RealVote before being elected. I have not taken a dollar of developer money, and I never will. I do not owe anyone political favors. The only endorsement I seek is from the residents of District 6.

If you elect me tomorrow, I will fight for government transparency, fiscal responsibility, real affordable housing, fully funded schools with parents at the table, a Local Business First Program, responsible growth with infrastructure first, and protection of our natural resources.

You will get a Council member who answers to you.

Not the developers. Not the political circles. Not the special interests. You.

Decisions are made by the people who show up. Be one of them.

If you have already voted early, thank you. You did the work. Please share this with one neighbor who hasn't.

If you have not yet voted, tomorrow is the day. When will you vote? Make your plan now.

I will be at the polls myself tomorrow morning. I hope to see you there.

🗳️ Vote Dominik Prokop, County Council District 6
📅 Tuesday, June 23 - Democratic Primary
🕖 Polls open 7 AM, close 8 PM
📍 Find your polling place: dominikprokop.com/vote

By authority of Prokop for District 6, T. Y. Prokop, Treasurer

06/21/2026

Two days left. This is for all of you.
I spent Father's Day today the way I want every dad to be able to spend it - with my wife and our daughter, my biggest supporter, at my side. She is the reason this race matters to me. She is the future I am running to protect.

To every person who volunteered their time, sent a message, put up a sign, opened their door, knocked on a neighbor's door, offered a kind word, or simply smiled: Thank you.

You have no idea how much it means.

I am running for a simple reason: to prove that it is still possible to have a representative who puts people first - before developers, before special interests, before political circles.

No hidden agenda. No favors owed. No political debts.

This is about building a District 6 where our kids and grandkids can stay and build their futures.

A place where schools are fully funded and decisions about our children are made with parents at the table.

A place where essential workers, teachers, first responders, young families, and seniors can actually afford to live here.

A place where you can trust again that your government sees you as the foundation, not the afterthought.

If you are still deciding who to vote for, remember this:

You are hiring.

The job description is simple: represent the people.

I understand that completely. And I am ready to do it from Day One.

Two days.

Let's make it count.

Decisions are made by the people who show up. Be one of them.

Government works for the people. Not the other way around.

🗳️ Vote Prokop - Tuesday, June 23, Democratic Primary
📍 Polls open 7 AM, close 8 PM
🌐 Find your polling place: dominikprokop.com/vote

By authority of Prokop for District 6, T. Y. Prokop, Treasurer

Prokop for District 6

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