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In a heated Democratic primary, voters have made their decision about who they hope will succeed now-Sen. Angela Alsobrooks’ (D) in leading one of America’s wealthiest Black counties, and the person they want to fill the District 5 Prince George’s County Council seat.

While voters waited in long lines even after the 8 p.m. closing times to cast their ballots on March 4, early returns showed State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy (D) in the lead for the county executive primary, and by 9:45 p.m., former Board of Education member Shayla Adams-Stafford held nearly half of the vote in the District 5 race. 

During the campaign, Braveboy sent the most mailers of any candidate, including joint sample ballots alongside Adams-Stafford, whose nearest competitor in District 5 was Director Ryan Middleton (D).

Fighting back tears and with deep breaths, Braveboy accepted her victory while acknowledging the difficult path to governance amid national uncertainties and an economic downturn.

“Before anything else, I have to give honor to God,” the current Prince George’s County state’s attorney said. “I am grateful for every single opportunity that God has given me.”

On Election Day, Braveboy held a dominant early lead during the first returns, with former County Executive Rushern Baker (D), County Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D) — who officially dropped out of the race in February — County Council member Calvin Hawkins (D), and state Sen. Alonzo Washington (D- District 22) trailing, respectively. 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) joined Braveboy, who he endorsed for county executive last month, at her victory party on March 4, offering an enthusiastic and impassioned speech in support of her leadership and in defense of the many federal workers who call Prince George’s home.

“Will she do it! Will she do it,” Moore said of the current state’s attorney. “Thank you to each and every one of you. You were willing to knock doors, make phone calls, to make sure that every neighbor turned in their ballots. Because of your work, we are now looking at the next county executive. I could not be more excited to have her as a partner in governance.”

Although the general election is on June 3, Prince George’s County is overwhelmingly Democratic, thus the winner of Tuesday’s primary is projected to win in three months. 

The next county executive will be up for re-election in the 2026 midterm elections.

Celebrating Women’s History Month leading up to the election, Adams-Stafford emphasized the work she hopes to do in District 5 to fight for women, her constituents and all Prince Georgians. 

“Every day, I juggle responsibilities, make tough decisions, and fight for what’s best for my family – just like so many of you,” the former school board member and mother wrote on March 3. “I understand the challenges working women face because I live them. I know what it’s like to navigate childcare costs, advocate for better schools, and work hard to build a better future. I’m ready to bring that insight and energy to District 5, fighting for stronger schools, lower taxes, improved public safety, and high-quality retail and community-centered development.”

The Road to Victory for Braveboy and Adams-Stafford, Tackling Challenges Ahead

Mailers, signs and dozens of forums allowed voters from across the county to hear the ideas and perspectives of the diverse field of candidates in both races. 

Many Prince Georgians wanted answers on strengthening the economy, particularly with concerns about widespread federal job losses and other challenges facing county residents with the new Trump administration.

“Taxes are too high in Prince George’s, but I don’t know if they can fix that quickly with all that’s going on,” Hyattsville voter Lydia Martin. “With what’s going on at the White House now, I see what’s happening there and it’s awful.”

Worries about finances, safety and education not only plagued residents county-wide, but in District 5, which includes Bladensburg, Cheverly, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Edmonston, Fairmount Heights and Glenarden.

Ivey served as the District 5 council member until winning the special election to fill former council member Mel Franklin’s at-large seat in August 2024.

Adams-Stafford released a poll last week that showed her with a wide lead over Middleton in the race to fill the District 5 vacancy. She received endorsements from current county leaders including Councilmembers Edward Burroughs III (D-District  8), who serves as vice chair of the legislative body, and Krystal Oriadha (D-District 7).

“As County Council Vice Chair, 1 proudly support Shayla Adams-Stafford for District 5,” Burroughs said in his endorsement. “Her deep commitment to education, economic development, and equity is aligned with the values of progress on the council. She has a proven track record of advocating for our communities and delivering real results for Prince George’s County.”

No polls in the county executive race were publicly released since the November poll conducted by the Ivey campaign, which showed a competitive race between the council chair and state’s attorney. 

During the campaign, Hawkins, buoyed by endorsements from Sen. Alsobrooks, former Congressman Al Wynn, and State Sen. Nick Charles (D- District 25), relied on his vast personal network and mailers to spread his message. 

Alsobrooks joined him at the polls on the morning of Election Day to galvanize support at the Lake Arbor Community Center in Mitchellville. 

Hawkins pledged during the campaign to continue the work of his predecessor on public safety, growing the county economy, and fiscal management.

Baker took a critical tone regarding the direction of the county during his campaign, particularly regarding crime and the response to the January snowstorm that left many Prince Georgians unable to leave their homes. The former county executive’s campaign ran social media ads and even did a robocall to criticize crime trends while Braveboy has served as the state’s attorney, especially noting a spike in carjackings in 2023. He received endorsements from County Councilmember Sydney Harrison (D- District 9), Treasurer Dereck Davis, and a coalition of the Prince George’s police and firefighters unions.

Braveboy has remained in the frontrunner position since Council Chair Ivey withdrew. 

The Feb. 19 from Gov. Moore strengthened her position and she was also supported by several members of the county council and Senator Ron Watson (D). 

The next county executive will inherit an estimated $170 million budget shortfall that is only expected to grow as federal spending cuts, the firing of government workers, and costs shifted from the state to the county are reflected in economic projections. 

Acting County Executive Tara Jackson also emphasized the financial difficulties facing Prince Georgians.

“We are facing significant, unique challenges, and those challenges will impact our budget,” Jackson on Feb. 13. “This year, challenges with the state budget and the federal government are adding to the challenges we have already faced and are impacting the fiscal health of our local government.”

Throughout her campaign, Braveboy pledged to invest in local business development to help improve the county economy.

During her watch party, endorsers including Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D) and Sheriff John D.B. Carr expressed support for Braveboy and her vision for the county.

“The door will always be open,” said Carr, “and she will always seek to build a partnership to serve the people of Prince George’s County.”

This story will be updated as returns are tallied.

View the election results .