2021 Bladensburg Election Voters Guide

The town election was on Monday, October 4, 2021. The offices of the Mayor and Council were up for election. Top issues for the election included accountability, development, community service, and taxes. Our candidate guides compile vital sections of each candidate's platform, initiative, social media profile, and pertinent public information.

Vote in the 2021 Bladensburg Town Election with ease with kBoulevard's voting guide for Bladensburg's Town Election.

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Candidacy by Position

Compare candidates for each election race for the Bladensburg Town Election. kBoulevard highlights key initiatives between the Mayor and Town Council candidates side-by-side for better context.

bladensburg town election topic
Candidacy by Topic

kBoulevard breakdowns candidates for Bladensburg Town Election by topic. Knowing what initiatives candidates are most enthusiastic about helps voters find candidates that align with their values.

bladensburg town election profile
Town Profile

Understanding the Town's goals overall can help readers better align their votes to candidates who share similar views. You will feel more informed about the candidates you've voted for.

Bladensburg Town Election Candidates

The Bladensburg Mayor and Town Council is the legislative body responsible for determining policies, setting ordinances, approving the annual budget, establishing the tax rate, public improvements, public health, safety, and welfare of the community, and developing goals and vision for the Town.

Visit the Bladensburg official homepage and social media for additional up-to-date information.

© 2021 kBoulevard.

kBoulevard Candidate Guides

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Mayor

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Mayor

S. Donnie Bridgeman

Challenger

  • Touts’ environmental sustainability such as water mitigation and reducing the carbon footprint
  • Proposes the implementation of solar streetlights
  • Advocates for a Composting program
  • Advocates for renters and businesses to increase investment in the public safety and public works
  • Cites housing assets and real estate are highly undervalued
  • Cites advocacy for tax cuts for homeowners
  • Advocates for twice a week trash disposal

Takisha D. James

Winner

  • Sought federal funding for Bladensburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Town received $600,000 in 2020 through the CARES ACT and has been awarded an additional $7.8 million in 2021
  • Successfully advocated for funding from Prince George’s County to address cleanup and maintenance of a ditch that flows through the Town to prevent flooding – funding is slated for the FY22 County Capital Budget
  • Continued to improve public safety with the appointment of the new Chief of Police who embodies the 21st Century Community Policing
  • Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students

S. Donnie Bridgeman

Challenger

  • Touts’ environmental sustainability such as water mitigation and reducing the carbon footprint
  • Proposes the implementation of solar streetlights
  • Advocates for a Composting program
  • Advocates for renters and businesses to increase investment in the public safety and public works
  • Cites housing assets and real estate are highly undervalued
  • Cites advocacy for tax cuts for homeowners
  • Advocates for twice a week trash disposal

Takisha D. James

Winner

  • Sought federal funding for Bladensburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Town received $600,000 in 2020 through the CARES ACT and has been awarded an additional $7.8 million in 2021
  • Successfully advocated for funding from Prince George’s County to address cleanup and maintenance of a ditch that flows through the Town to prevent flooding – funding is slated for the FY22 County Capital Budget
  • Continued to improve public safety with the appointment of the new Chief of Police who embodies the 21st Century Community Policing
  • Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Council Ward 1

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Council Ward 1

Trina D. Brown

Winner

  • Cites compassion, moral integrity as qualifications for their candidacy
  • Assures to be visible, listen, accessible and communicate and follow-up
  • Pledges a commitment to serve the Bladensburg community

Alban A. Merino

Challenger

  • Cites Auto, Homeowners, and Renter’s Insurance premiums are high due to the Administration’s failure
  • Proposes the use of bait cars, bait packages, aerial drones, and other innovations in crime reduction
  • Supports a “zero crime” strategy

Daina L. Shephard

Challenger

  • Cites tenure, experience, knowledge, and active involvement in the Bladensburg community as qualifications
  • Pledges to advocate for families and neighborhood schools as a stakeholder
  • Inspires to ensure Bladensburg continues to thrive as the home-based community

Trina D. Brown

Winner

  • Cites compassion, moral integrity as qualifications for their candidacy
  • Assures to be visible, listen, accessible and communicate and follow-up
  • Pledges a commitment to serve the Bladensburg community

Alban A. Merino

Challenger

  • Cites Auto, Homeowners, and Renter’s Insurance premiums are high due to the Administration’s failure
  • Proposes the use of bait cars, bait packages, aerial drones, and other innovations in crime reduction
  • Supports a “zero crime” strategy

Daina L. Shephard

Challenger

  • Cites tenure, experience, knowledge, and active involvement in the Bladensburg community as qualifications
  • Pledges to advocate for families and neighborhood schools as a stakeholder
  • Inspires to ensure Bladensburg continues to thrive as the home-based community

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Council Ward 2

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Council Ward 2

Landus M. Burroughs

Challenger

  • Spear-headed the Bladensburg Waterfront Park cleanup committee
  • Hamlet Woods Homeowners Association President
  • Supports the 75% Refundable Property Tax Credit and $2k Renter’s Tax Credit
  • Advocates for $4k Home Renovation Grants
  • Cites credit for bridge construction to alleviate the plethora of railroad crossing and traffic chokepoints

Carletta L. Lundy

Incumbent

  • Performs community services at Victory Grace Center covered under the First Baptist Church of Glenarden
  • Co-sponsor of the Town Vaccination Clinics and other town events
  • Facilitated and lead the 2020 Census Initiatives
  • Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools

Carrol H. McBryde

Winner

  • Volunteers at nursing homes and church
  • Chaplain for Parkview Bladensburg Apartments
  • Seeks to enrich the lives of seniors to ensure access to healthcare instituting programs for physical, mental wellness, and nutritional meals
  • Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
  • Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Landus M. Burroughs

Challenger

  • Spear-headed the Bladensburg Waterfront Park cleanup committee
  • Hamlet Woods Homeowners Association President
  • Supports the 75% Refundable Property Tax Credit and $2k Renter’s Tax Credit
  • Advocates for $4k Home Renovation Grants
  • Cites credit for bridge construction to alleviate the plethora of railroad crossing and traffic chokepoints

Carletta L. Lundy

Incumbent

  • Performs community services at Victory Grace Center covered under the First Baptist Church of Glenarden
  • Co-sponsor of the Town Vaccination Clinics and other town events
  • Facilitated and lead the 2020 Census Initiatives
  • Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools

Carrol H. McBryde

Winner

  • Volunteers at nursing homes and church
  • Chaplain for Parkview Bladensburg Apartments
  • Seeks to enrich the lives of seniors to ensure access to healthcare instituting programs for physical, mental wellness, and nutritional meals
  • Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
  • Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Bladensburg Town Election by Topic

Candidates sometimes campaign on initiatives that may not be relevant for the office they are running for. kBoulevard provides a more in-depth look at each candidates' platform, categorizing initiatives, giving you the opportunity to pick the candidates that share your values.

Click Candidates Name to See Initiatives

Candidates on Bladensburg Finances & Taxes

Initiatives centered on fiscal policy, property taxes, property assessments, and government revenue matters are highlighted in this section. Candidates here are considered to be heavy on fiscal policies.

  • Advocates for renters and businesses to increase investment in the public safety and public works
  • Cites housing assets and real estate are highly undervalued
  • Cites advocacy for tax cuts for homeowners
  • Sought federal funding for Bladensburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Town received $600,000 in 2020 through the CARES ACT and has been awarded an additional $7.8 million in 2021
  • Supports the 75% Refundable Property Tax Credit and $2k Renter’s Tax Credit
  • Advocates for $4k Home Renovation Grants

Candidates on Bladensburg Public Safety & Works

Topics on crime reduction, waste disposal policies, and utility management are highlighted in this section. Candidates here are considered to be on crime and government services.

  • Advocates for twice a week trash disposal
  • Successfully advocated for funding from Prince George’s County to address cleanup and maintenance of a ditch that flows through the Town to prevent flooding – funding is slated for the FY22 County Capital Budget
  • Continued to improve public safety with the appointment of the new Chief of Police who embodies the 21st Century Community Policing
  • Proposes the use of bait cars, bait packages, aerial drones, and other innovations in crime reduction
  • Supports a “zero crime” strategy

Candidates on Bladensburg Transportation

Initiatives highlighted here center on traffic alleviation, public transportation initiatives, and pedestrian-focused policies. Candidates here have a passion for addressing the region’s traffic-related problems.

  • Finalized and approved the Master Plan for the redevelopment of Annapolis Road/Route 450 intersection
  • Cites credit for bridge construction to alleviate the plethora of railroad crossing and traffic chokepoints

Candidates on Bladensburg Youth Services

Topics here focus on community services for the youth. Education policies are typically under the county and state’s authority. Municipals oversee youth programs, summer camps, and learning equipment.

  • Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students
  • Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools
  • Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
  • Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Candidates on Bladensburg Youth Services

Topics here focus on community services for the youth. Education policies are typically under the county and state’s authority. Municipals oversee youth programs, summer camps, and learning equipment.

  • Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students
  • Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools
  • Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
  • Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Bladensburg Town Agenda

Townhalls, community meetings, and government newsletters are a great way to keep abreast of your local government affairs and priorities. We know sometimes it’s hard to make those evening and weekend meetups, but you still want to participate in your town election.

kBoulevard provides a more in-depth look at Bladensburg’s strategic planning and budget appropriations, giving you the insight you need to catch up with your community leaders and the town’s future plans. Town agendas are the best way to determine if the current administration understands their constituents’ needs.

Townhalls, community meetings, and government newsletters are a great way to keep abreast of your local government affairs and priorities. We know sometimes it’s hard to make those evening and weekend meetups, but you still want to participate in your town election.

Town agendas are the best way to determine if the current administration understands their constituents’ needs.

Click Tabs to See Town Agendas

Bladensburg Town Profile

Here we provide a sample of regional statistics that correlate directly with offices up for election.

9,402
Bladensburg Pop. 2019
(6th Largest in Prince George’s County)

4,375
Bladensburg Employed Pop.
(1.9% increase – 1yr)

9,402
Bladensburg Pop. 2019
(6th Largest in Prince George’s County)

4,375
Bladensburg Employed Pop.
(1.9% increase – 1yr)

$1,351 
Average Gross Rent
(Prince George’s County Avg: $1,515)

11.15%
increase in property value – 1yr
(4.2% growth in Prince George’s County)

$1,351 
Average Gross Rent
(Prince George’s County Avg: $1,515)

11.15%
increase in property value – 1yr
(4.2% growth in Prince George’s County)

13.6%
10% decrease in poverty rate – 1yr

(Prince George’s County Avg: 8.4%)

3.8%
growth in median household income – 1yr
(3.9% for Prince George’s County)

13.6%
10% decrease in poverty rate – 1yr

(Prince George’s County Avg: 8.4%)

3.8%
growth in median household income – 1yr (3.9% for Prince George’s County)

Bladensburg Crime Statistics

Crime statistics come with a margin of error and may over or under-represent what is actually occurring. Simply, data rarely tells the whole story. Crime statistics are usually recorded as a per capita metric, showing the number of a type of crime committed per person in a given area. Typically, you may see a higher per capita crime rate in locations with a large influx of people.

Crime statistics come with a margin of error and may over or under-represent what is actually occurring. Simply, data rarely tells the whole story. Crime statistics are usually recorded as a per capita metric, showing the number of a type of crime committed per person in a given area. Typically, you may see a higher per capita crime rate in locations with a large influx of people.

Overall, reported violent and property crime has seen a steady decrease in Bladensburg, since its peak in 2003 – 2005. Violent and property crimes are slightly higher than state averages. There has been an uptick in auto theft since last year, and the murder rate was significantly up in 2019 compared to 2018.

The Mayor and Town Council have recently hired a new Chief of Police and look to refine community policing efforts. The Town of Bladensburg seeks more authority from Prince George’s County regarding the disciplinary process of police officers’ misconduct.

Overall, reported violent and property crime has seen a steady decrease in Bladensburg, since its peak in 2003 – 2005. Violent and property crimes are slightly higher than state averages. There has been an uptick in auto theft since last year, and the murder rate was significantly up in 2019 compared to 2018.

The Mayor and Town Council have recently hired a new Chief of Police and look to refine community policing efforts. The Town of Bladensburg seeks more authority from Prince George’s County regarding the disciplinary process of police officers’ misconduct.

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important things you should know

Frequently Asked Questions

Our guides primarily cover municipalities in the DMV area. This includes: 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.

Guides are typically published 30 days from the election date. We have produced last-minute guides at request. We compile vast amounts of information on many candidates and races in the region, we do not publish every guide.

We cover all reputable political party candidates for down-ballot elections. Guides are crafted by individuals with a wide range of political ideologies. Some races may seem more lopsided with information; however, not all candidates run thorough campaigns. We can only publish what we can find or are given.

Yes, there are plans in the works to expand to the entire tri-area within the next election. We do produce guides at request. If you are interested in having a guide published for your community, contact us here.

We are always looking for highly-talented individuals who are passionate about policy research and civic engagement. You can contact us here for opportunities.

Mistakes happen, and information changes. If you wish to recommend a revision, there’s an option to contact us and recommend an edit at the bottom of each guide, or you can contact us here for corrections/revisions.

We have chosen to not run ads on our guides to keep uniformity and unbiasedness. We currently receive donations and have a team of skilled individuals who perform this work for a small stipend. We appreciate any funding we receive.

Sources

Below are the primary sources for kBoulevard’s candidate guide for the 2021 Bladensburg Town Election.