2020 Prince George's County Election Voters Guide
November 3, 2020
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The 2020 Prince George’s County Election voters guide includes campaign emails, social media, and websites of each Prince George’s County Election candidate for U.S. Congress, Circuit Judges, and Board of Education.
Should voters need additional information about their preferred candidate’s profile. An active social media is a good representation of how connected the candidate would be if elected. Vote in Maryland’s General election with ease with kBoulevard’s candidate guide for the 2020 Prince George’s County General Election.
The general election for Prince George’s County was on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Top issues for this election include accountability, COVID responses, and teacher salaries. Check out kBoulevard’s Prince George’s County’s candidates guide.
Learn more about the 2020 Prince George’s County Election and where to vote, visit Maryland Board of Elections.
2020 Prince George's County Election Candidates
What does a U.S. Representative do?
Also referred to as a congressman or congresswoman, each representative is elected to a two-year term serving the people of a specific congressional district. Among other duties, representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, and committee services. Check out the lawmakers.org “How Effective is your Legislator” to learn more about your legislator.
2020 Prince George's County Election for Congress District 4
Democrat
- Incumbent: Serves as a Member of the U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District (since 2017)
- Experience: Served as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (2007 – 2015)
- Veteran: United States Army Reserve (Ret.)
- Education: Graduated Harvard Law School
Incumbent: Serves as a Member of the U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 4th Congressional District (since 2017)
Experience: Served as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (2007 – 2015)
- Veteran: United States Army Reserve (Ret.)
Education: Graduated Harvard Law School
2020 Prince George's County Election for Congress District 5
Republican
- Profession: Web developer and consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton
- Experience: Served as Dignitary Protection with the U.S. Capitol Police
- Education: B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University
- Profession: Web developer and consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton
- Experience: Served as Dignitary Protection with the U.S. Capitol Police
- Education: B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University
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Democrat
- Experience: U.S. Representative for Maryland CD5
- Experience: House Majority Leader
- Experience: Former Maryland State Senator
- Education: J.D. from Georgetown Law School
- Experience: U.S. Representative for Maryland CD5
- Experience: House Majority Leader
- Experience: Former Maryland State SenatorÂ
- Education: J.D. from Georgetown Law School
What does a Circuit Court Judge do?
The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over serious criminal and civil cases and may also hear appeals from the District Courts. Circuit Court judges are initially nominated by a special judicial commission and appointed by the Governor. At the end of their one-year appointed term, Circuit Court judges must run for reelection for a full 15-year term. It is not unusual for incumbent judges to run together, also know as a slate. Learn more about voting for judges – A Pursuit for Justice’s ‘Qualities of a Good Judge.’
2020 Prince George's County Election for Judge of the 7th Circuit Court
April T. Ademiluyi
- Bar Association: Active member in Civil Justice
- License: Licensed in Maryland and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Education: Personal – George Mason University School of Law
- Experience: Bankruptcy, family, intellectual, personal injury, and class action litigation
- Professional Association: Active member of the National Society of Black Engineers
- Bar Association: Active member in Civil Justice
- License: Licensed in Maryland and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- Education: Personal – George Mason University School of Law
- Experience: Bankruptcy, family, intellectual, personal injury, and class action litigation
- Professional Association: Active member of the National Society of Black Engineers
Bryon Seth Bereano
- Incumbent: Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, 2020
- Bar Association: Active member of the Prince George’s County and Maryland State Bar Association
- Clerkship: Judge Alexander Williams, Jr., U.S. District Court for Maryland – Southern Division
- Education: Personal – University of Baltimore School of Law
- Experience: A litigation associate for a law firm in Bethesda, MD, and now, as a judge in Prince George’s County
- Incumbent: Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, 2020
- Bar Association: Active member of the Prince George’s County and Maryland State Bar Association
- Clerkship: Judge Alexander Williams, Jr., U.S. District Court for Maryland – Southern Division
- Education: Personal – University of Baltimore School of Law
- Experience: A litigation associate for a law firm in Bethesda, MD, and now, as a judge in Prince George’s County
Wytonja Curry
- Clerkship: Circuit Court for Prince George’s County
- Bar Association: Active member of the Prince George’s County and Maryland State Bar Association
- License: Licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia
- Education: Personal – J.D. from the University of Baltimore
- Profession: 20 years, tried cases in 17 of 24 jurisdictions in the state of Maryland
- Clerkship: Circuit Court for Prince George’s County
- Bar Association: Active member of the Prince George’s County and Maryland State Bar Association
- License: Licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia
- Education: Personal – J.D. from the University of Baltimore
- Profession: 20 years, tried cases in 17 of 24 jurisdictions in the state of Maryland
ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey
- Incumbent: Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, 2019
- Bar Association: Active member of the Prince George’s County Bar and J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
- Education: J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center
- Government: Sole counsel to the Calvert County Department of Social Services and Hearing Examiner for Prince George’s County Public School
- Experience: 25 years, owner of a small firm in Bowie, Maryland specializing in bankruptcy, workers compensation, and creditor rights
- Incumbent: Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, 2019
- Bar Association: Active member of the Prince George’s County Bar and J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association
- Education: J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center
- Government: Sole counsel to the Calvert County Department of Social Services and Hearing Examiner for Prince George’s County Public School
- Experience: 25 years, owner of a small firm in Bowie, Maryland specializing in bankruptcy, workers compensation, and creditor rights
Jared Michael McCarthy
- Incumbent: Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, 2019
- Clerkship: Judge Dennis M. Sweeney, Circuit Court for Howard County
- Education: University of Baltimore School of Law
- Government: A trial attorney representing the Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Planning Department
- Profession: A trial attorney with Bacon, Thornton & Palmer
- Incumbent: Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, 2019
- Clerkship: Judge Dennis M. Sweeney, Circuit Court for Howard County
- Education: University of Baltimore School of Law
- Government: A trial attorney representing the Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Planning Department
- Profession: A trial attorney with Bacon, Thornton & Palmer
Cathy H. Serrette
- Incumbent: Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, 2003
- License: Maryland, New York, and Washington D.C
- Professional Associate: Maryland chapter president of the National Association of Women Judges
- Education: George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctor
- Incumbent: Associate Judge for the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, 2003
- License: Maryland, New York, and Washington D.C.                                                                                                  Â
- Professional Associate: Maryland chapter president of the National Association of Women Judges
- Education: George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctor
Gladys Weatherspoon
- Clerkship: Judge Jose M. Lopez, D.C. Superior Court
- License: Licensed in Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia
- Government: Former Section Chief of the Felony Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
- Experience: Defended numerous high-profile defendants, criminal defense, and litigation
- Community: Executive board member of Women Walking in Their Own Shoes, a charity organization that focuses on helping women and children in Prince George’s County, Maryland
- Clerkship: Judge Jose M. Lopez, D.C. Superior Court
- License: Licensed in Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia
- Government: Former Section Chief of the Felony Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
- Experience: Defended numerous high-profile defendants, criminal defense, and litigation
- Community:  Executive board member of Women Walking in Their Own Shoes, a charity organization that focuses on helping women and children in Prince George’s County, Maryland
What does a member of the Board of Education do?
A school board, often referred to as a Board of Education, is a corporate body that oversees and manages a public-school district’s affairs, personnel, and properties. School board members are elected by the residents of the school district that the board oversees. Check out nonprofit GreatSchools’ “What Makes A Great School Board Member“ and learn more about successful school boards.
2020 Prince George's County Election for Board of Education for District 1
David H. Murray
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
(Unopposed)
2020 Prince George's County Election for Board of Education for District 4
Shayla Adams-Stafford
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
Bryan M. Swann
- Incumbent: Serves as Prince George’s County Board of Education District 4
- Serves as Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of the Treasury
- M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University
- Incumbent: Serves as Prince George’s County Board of Education District 4
- Serves as Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of the Treasury
- M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University
2020 Prince George's County Election for Board of Education for District 5
Raaheela Ahmed
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
(Unopposed)
2020 Prince George's County Election for Board of Education for District 7
Alexis Nicole Branch
- Researcher for non-profit IMPACT-SE
- NAACP Vice President at Bennett College
- B.A. in Political Science from Bennett College
- Researcher for non-profit IMPACT-SE
- NAACP Vice President at Bennett College
- B.A. in Political Science from Bennett College
Kenneth F. Harris II
- Senior Engineering at NASA
- B.S. from University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Incumbent: Serves as Prince George’s County Board of Education District 7
- Legislative and Constituent Aide to State Sen. Currie
- M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Maryland Baltimore County
2020 Prince George's County Election for Board of Education for District 8
Edward Burroughs
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
- Developed the first Women’s Studies Curriculum for High School Students in Durham Public Schools
- Endorsed by Prince George’s County Educators’ Association (PGCEA)
- Member of the National Faculty of the Buck Institute of Education
Gary Lee Falls
- Incumbent: Serves as Prince George’s County Board of Education District 4
- Serves as Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of the Treasury
- M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University
- Incumbent: Serves as Prince George’s County Board of Education District 4
- Serves as Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of the Treasury
- M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University
Prince George's County Candidates for Congress by Topic
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Government Accountability
Supports a federal database that requires state and local law enforcement to report arrest, pedestrian, vehicular stops, and death involving police officers by demographics to eliminate unfair treatment
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Government Accountability
Supports a federal database that requires state and local law enforcement to report arrest, pedestrian, vehicular stops, and death involving police officers by demographics to eliminate unfair treatment
- Cites the judicial branch of government has no checks and balances
- Opposes pay increases for members of Congress
- Supports term limits
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Education
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Education
Advocates to make it a national priority to increase the college-completion rate, requiring a more substantial commitment to HBCUs and year-round Pell Grants
Supports providing teachers with more professional support and resources
Advocates for an increase in federal aid for education
Seeks to streamline the process better to allow those to enter the nation legally
Seeks to pass the Make It In America Jobs Plan, promoting pathways to careers, encourage entrepreneurship, and creates job by repairing infrastructure
Advocates for Full-Service Community Schools, modeled after Judy Centers throughout Maryland
Proponent of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, increasing funding for Pell Grants
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Environment
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Environment
Supported Maryland’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), ten-state-effort to reduce CO2 emissions from electricity generation plants
Supports local authority and autonomy to make the necessary infrastructure improvements to address stormwater runoff meeting federal clean water obligations
Supports adopting an Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan, to double Maryland’s native oyster population
A proponent of protecting the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac Patuxent, and other local ways
Secured federal funding to expand the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, Piscataway Park, and Charles County’s Douglas Point Project
Secured federal funding to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent, Potomac, Anacostia, and St. Mary’s Rivers
Secured federal funding to replenish the oyster population of the Chesapeake Bay
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Economic Development
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Economic Development
- Spearheaded efforts to plan for and coordinate the arrival of 60,000 BRAC-related jobs to Maryland
- Seeks to increase federal contracting opportunities for Maryland businesses around federal facilities
- Supports boosting investments in infrastructure
- Advocates free market principals and pro-growth policies
- Seeks to invest more in infrastructure
- Advocated to create the Small Business Lending Fund, increasing lending to small business over $394 million
- Seeks to expand contracting opportunities for disadvantaged communities, minorities, and women
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Gun Control
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Gun Control
Supports removing guns from the hands of abusers
- Background checks are necessary as a check and balance against assault weapons
- Support the Second Amendment but also support restrictions on sales
Supports the Second Amendment
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Health and Human Services
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Health and Human Services
Created the Health Enterprise Zone program to reduce health disparities with pilot programs in Annapolis and Capitol Heights
Initiated the effort to bring a new regional medical center to Prince George’s County
Protect the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare
Seeks to bring more transparency in health cost
Supports increased oversight to help protect the health of American consumers, such as improving food safety efforts and FDA regulations on tobacco
Advocates to protect the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare
Advocates to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Immigration
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Immigration
Supports expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to include the parents of citizens, parents of legal permanent residents, and the parents of DREAMERs
Supports legislation to create a comprehensive and effective path to full citizenship that is achievable within a reasonable length of time
Supports the Maryland DREAM Act
Seeks to streamline the process better to allow those to enter the nation legally
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Public Safety
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Public Safety
- Supports a modernize our approach to nonviolent drug offenses and focus law enforcement resources where they are most effective in reducing violence
- Supports protecting victims of domestic violence by providing them with better access to services and protections under the law
- A proponent of federal funds for local law enforcement to equip body cameras
- Cites no federal and states attorneys will investigate white-collar frauds
- Opposes legalizing marijuana
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Women's Rights
- Cites position on abortion rights is consistent with U.S. Constitution and rulings of the Supreme Court until changed
Candidates for Maryland Congress on Women's Rights
- Advocates to implement the Lethality Assessment Program in jurisdiction throughout Maryland
- Supports the Violence Against Women Act remains fully funded and expanded
- Supports increasing research and services for women’s health care needs
- Cites position on abortion rights is consistent with U.S. Constitution and rulings of the Supreme Court until changed
Prince George's County Candidates for Board of Education by Topic
Candidates on Budget and Operations
- Seeks an increase in funding per pupil
Candidates on Budget and Operations
- Cites more accountable and effective funding execution
- Advocates improving the school bus system
- Seeks an increase in funding per pupil
- Prioritizes rebuilding and renovating older school buildings
- Advocates to reopen Forestville Military School
- Advocates rebuild Suitland High School
Candidates on Curriculum
Candidates on Curriculum
- Advocates for career and technical education
- Advocates for hands-on engagement
Cites to explore, enhance, and implement restorative practices in our classrooms and communities
Advocates for bilingual education in every elementary school classroom
Candidates on Community Relations
Candidates on Community Relations
- Seeks more mentorship programs involving our parents, more transparent conversations hosted by the school with the students and parents, more effective counseling services
- Promotes demand for more real community service not just turning in coats for hours but delivering the coats, serving meals, and encouraging them to get more involved
Candidates on Extracurricular Programs
Candidates on Extracurricular Programs
- Supports students in learning coding languages early on and provide them with pathways to earn a certification
- Advocates for the need to promote, expand and enhance these programs with more funding partnerships
- Supports the expansion of specialty programs. I would like to see all elementary school students in a bilingual learning environment
- Seeks to provide more opportunities for our children like study abroad programs, free scholarship grants, and mentorship
- Seeks to increase innovative programs to spark curiosity and encourage learning
- Seeks to expand summer school and extended school day opportunities
- Seeks to enhance the classroom to internship pipeline
Candidates on Inclusion, Special Needs, and Cultural Issues
Candidates on Inclusion, Special Needs, and Cultural Issues
- Advocates to equip our students with iPad because it is eco-friendly, and we should not have waited until it was a pandemic to ensure our students had what they needed at home to be successful students
- Opposes the lottery program, I think every child in the county should have the same opportunity at a successful future
- Seeks more equity in our classrooms
Candidates on Health Services and Public Safety
Candidates on Health Services and Public Safety
- Advocates for safe and welcoming schools for all
- Advocates for increase mental health support
- Advocates providing support with adapting to remote learning and recovering the loss of learning due to the extended break, incorporating Trauma-Informed and Social-Emotional Learning Practices
- Cites the school system should focus on the mental health of our children to come back
- Helping students understand their worth
Candidates on Pre and Post Education
Candidates on Pre and Post Education
Proponent for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 for all
- Advocates to provide free preschool and pre-kindergarten for all three and four-year-old’s
- Seeks to expand Universal Free Pre-K
Candidates on Teachers and Staff Support
Candidates on Teacher and Staff Support
- Advocates for smaller class size and new schools
- Advocates for competitive teacher pay
- Advocates for the need to provide similar opportunities for teachers in our district and to help them grow in their practice
- Seeks to recruit and retain top talent – in PG and across the state we are losing highly qualified teachers every year
Seeks more hiring incentives, including a monetary raise for our current teachers
- Advocates to lower the average class sizes
- Proponent for increasing teacher salaries
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Questions And Answers
Our guides primarily cover municipalities in the DMV area. This Washington D.C., Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Alexandria City, and Fairfax City.
We have covered elections at request, such as the 2020 Congressional District 7 Special Primary Election for the Baltimore City area.
Primarily, each region’s respective board of elections and each candidate’s website. Additional sources may come from social media profiles, town-halls, and other reputable publishers. We also cite our sources at the bottom of each guide.
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