06/18/2024
It has now been a little over one month since the Maryland Senate primary ended with the winners of both the Democrat and Republican Parties. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks came from behind to beat Congressman David Trone, the $62 million man, going way by 13 points. Former MD Gov. Larry Hogan reentered the political arena on the last day of the filing deadline earlier this year and had no real opposition onto his primary victory. Both candidates will square off this November on what may determine control of the US Senate.
The voters of Prince George's County have a decision to make. Do they support former Gov. Hogan, who is from the County and whose father once served as its County Executive (the last Republican County Executive) or do they support the current County Executive, Angela Alsobrooks, in her second term who previously served as the County State's Attorney?
However, there is another looming issue that the voters may have missed and are not considering. Should County Exec Alsobrooks prevail and become the first black woman US Senator from Maryland, a trigger in the Prince George's County Charter comes into effect.
Section 407 of the Charter says that if Ms. Alsobrooks were to resign from her office in the first two years of her term (before Dec. 5th), the Chief Administrative Officer becomes Acting County Executive until the Council schedules a date for a special election of a new County Executive. Should Ms. Alsobrooks resign after Dec. 5th, say Dec. 31st before she is sworn in as a new US Senator representing Maryland, then the County Council shall, according to the Charter, select from among itself, by majority vote, a successor for the balance of the unexpired term. If the Council cannot decide among themselves who is the successor within 14 calendar days, then the Council Chair becomes County Executive for the remainder of the term.
What will Ms. Alsobrooks do? Those who plan on voting for her should ask themselves that question, as well as ask Ms. Alsobrooks while she is out there on the campaign trail. I would want to know. As Ms. Alsobrooks makes her case for a promotion to the US Senate, shouldn't Prince George's County voters also decide who should succeed her in a newly created vacancy?
Or do county voters want to experience horse trading among Council members and see if Councilwoman Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Councilman Calvin Hawkins (At Large) can count to six? I heard there was some heavy jockeying already at the ICSC Conference out there in Las Vegas several weeks ago. I wonder if the bookmakers down at MGM National Harbor have set the betting line yet (I prefer the horses myself). And now with Mel Franklin having resigned three days ago, what happens if the vote is a 5-5 tie? Dearest reader, call the County Attorney and ask as the Charter is silent on that one.
