Eight Democratic candidates are in the crowded race for two Prince George’s County Council at-large seats. Among those running are two current county councilmembers: Jolene Ivey, an incumbent who moved from the District 5 seat to the at-large seat through a special election in 2024 and Sydney Harrison who has represented District 9 for eight years.
The at-large seats have become controversial, some seeing them as a way for councilmembers to sidestep the two-term limit on district seats or as proving grounds for higher office (see article below). A bill introduced by Councilmember Tom Dernoga may see the question of the seats’ abolition placed on the ballot this year, but would not take effect until 2030, after those elected this year serve a full four-year term.
The Greenbelt News Review reached out to all eight candidates and asked them why they are running to be an at-large councilmember and to share two important issues an at-large member should address. Given the recent resignations and appointments on council, as well as
at-large members running for higher office shortly after filling at-large seats, we also asked candidates if they would commit to serving out the full term if they are elected. They were asked to respond to each question in 150 words or less.
Sean A. Floyd
Sean A. Floyd is the CEO of Nomadic Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in campaigns, project and operations management, and community engagement. He was previously the National Programs and Outreach Manager for the National Coalition in Black Civic Participation, worked in the office of Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and worked on political campaigns, including President Obama’s re-election. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Africa/African Diaspora Studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Why are you running for this particular position and, if elected, would you commit to serving out the entirety of your term as at-large councilmember?
I am running to restore community, transparency and accountability to Prince George’s County. Prince George’s County is a county of opportunity that has been overlooked for far too long. As the deficit grows, property taxes continue to rise, and economic development remains stagnant, I will work to help us return to a place where people want to come to Prince George’s County, not just drive through Prince George’s County. Yes, I commit to serving my entire term as an at-large councilmember.
What do you see as two important issues an at-large council member, specifically, should plan to address?
My number one priority as a councilmember is improving budget transparency. To do this, we must establish mandatory agency oversight hearings before developing our annual operating budget. These hearings will allow us to hold agencies accountable for funding allocated for an operating year and identify areas where funding meant to serve residents was insufficient, excessive or inadequately spent. My second priority is to promote economic development and support small business growth and development. Currently our primary revenue source is property taxes which is imbalanced compared to the revenue generated from business taxes. As a result, homeowners bear the burden of maintaining a healthy budget, making it challenging to live comfortably in an economy where the cost of living continues to rise.
Laura S. Gilchrest
Laura Gilchrest is a lecturer at George Washington University in the Elliot School of International Affairs. She describes herself as a researcher with expertise in qualitative and quantitative research and public policy analysis and advocacy. She received her Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from American University and her M.A. in International Studies from DePaul University and has over ten years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
Why are you running for this particular position and, if elected, would you commit to serving out the entirety of your term as at-large councilmember?
I’m running for at-large as a publicly financed candidate to ensure the entire county’s needs are represented on the County Council. If elected, I’ll serve the full term as councilmember at-large. I’ll improve transparency and accountability and repair trust and participation within our communities through public processes, community-driven policy and accessible meetings with advance notice and outreach. I’ll tackle loopholes that violate established two-term limits and seat-hopping with appointment reform. I’ll ensure smart growth and community-led development that follows our Climate Action Plan and Countywide Plan 2030. I’ll fund resources and programs like home improvement, rehabilitation and modernizations to improve accessibility for disabled and elderly residents, make neighborhoods safer and more kid/youth/family-friendly, with sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges and public restrooms. I’ll introduce land value and vacancy taxes, and corporate tax fairness policies that will improve affordability for residents and provide lasting revenue for the county.
What do you see as two important issues an at-large council member, specifically, should plan to address?
Accountability is a significant issue that all councilmembers need to address. At-large councilmembers are well-positioned to support accountability measures across districts through countywide outreach, community engagement and support, and a big-picture view of county needs and interests. Another is equity in planning, development and countywide resource distribution. I’ve visited each district and talked to civic associations, knocked on doors and attended forums from Laurel to Clinton. I know which districts need grocery stores and transportation solutions, and which districts need to address overgrowth and congestion. I’ve seen which districts have shiny upgraded facilities and where public schools and park facilities are in disrepair. This is especially important where schools and other public resources like parks and transportation and public works are concerned. All of our communities should receive the attention and resources they need regardless of their district or whether they live in an incorporated or unincorporated municipality.
Jolene Ivey
Jolene Ivey has served on Prince George’s County Council since 2018, when she was elected as councilmember for District 5. She is currently an at-large county councilmember, after winning a special election in 2024. She served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2015. She is married to Glenn Ivey, U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 4th
congressional district, with whom she has five children including Maryland Delegate Julian Ivey. Ivey earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Towson University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland College Park.
Why are you running for this particular position and, if elected, would you commit to serving out the entirety of your term as at-large councilmember?
I am running for the at-large seat because I have over seven years of proven leadership on the County Council (having served over a year as Chair), and I want to use this experience and
knowledge to continue to represent the entire county. I know how to make things happen, I understand the issues and the challenges, and I know how to bring needed attention to the issues that should have priority.
I have the proven and demonstrated experience, knowledge, maturity, and temperament to continue to be a progressive champion on the County Council, proudly representing all the residents of Prince George’s.
I am committed to serve the entire term.
What do you see as two important issues an at-large council member, specifically, should plan to address?
Affordability for struggling families is one of my top priorities, because no one should be priced out of Prince George’s. From young families getting started to seniors on fixed incomes, I’m committed to making sure Prince George’s remains a place where everyone can afford to stay and thrive. Housing, schools, public safety and economic development are all connected, and their impact on families will always be at the center of my decisions.
Every member of the disability community deserves access to the services they need without leaving the county. I will work to expand needed support. I’m proud to have worked with County Executive Braveboy to open the Prince George’s County Sight & Vision Center, bringing resources to our county. I also founded the PGC Autism Coalition, which brings service providers and resources together to share information and ideas and create a network so they can better serve the residents of the county.
Jeana Jacobs
Jeana Jacobs is an attorney and Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of the National School Boards Association. She served on the Prince George’s County Board of Education from 2006 to 2016. Jacobs worked for the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections for 23 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2012. She earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral and social sciences from the University of Maryland and a J.D. from the University of the District of Columbia.
Why are you running for this particular position and, if elected, would you commit to serving out the entirety of your term as at-large councilmember?
I bring extensive experience, independent leadership skills, and passion that residents deserve from their elected officials. My 30+ year background in law, public safety and education has prepared me to bring people together, solve problems and advocate for working families. I have broad knowledge overseeing and managing large budgets. In my role as CEO of a national nonprofit organization, I am responsible for the development and execution of a $10 million budget. In my previous role as Chair of the Board of Education, in one of the nation’s largest school districts, I led the approval of the then-$1.8 billion Prince George’s County district budget.
As a parent and working mom, I understand the challenges residents face, such as public safety concerns, rising food and housing costs and the need for stronger economic opportunities.
I commit to serving a full term and focusing on results for residents and businesses.
What do you see as two important issues an at-large council member, specifically, should plan to address?
As an at-large councilmember, I have the opportunity to serve residents across the county and ensure each community has access to opportunities that help residents thrive. The uniqueness of individual community issues, regardless of zip code, must be considered assets rather than problems to solve.
Improving quality of life for residents is paramount. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, affordable housing and reliable county services.
Another issue is expansion of economic opportunities. We need smart development that grows the tax base and reduces financial burden on homeowners. That means attracting businesses that create strong local jobs while protecting our environment.
The county is at an inflection point with tough economic decisions ahead. To tackle these issues, we need effective leadership. That means no-nonsense approaches to ensuring excellence and accountability in every decision.
I have proven success and broad vision to address these issues.
I respectfully ask for your vote.
Keith Washington
Keith Washington served for 20 years in the U.S. Army and for 17 years as a Prince George’s County Police Officer and Deputy Director for Homeland Security for Prince George’s County. In 2008 Washington was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, first-degree assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, for shooting two delivery men in his home in Accokeek in 2007, killing one and injuring the other. Washington served over 13 years in prison but maintains his innocence. In 2022 he ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Maryland’s 5th Congressional District but lost to Steny Hoyer. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University.
Why are you running for this particular position and, if elected, would you commit to serving out the entirety of your term as at-large councilmember?
I’m running for at-large council member because too many residents – especially seniors and longtime homeowners – feel overlooked by decisions that shape their daily lives. After years of paying into this county, they deserve leadership that listens, respects their contributions, and protects their future.
We’ve seen a pattern of insider decision-making and missed opportunities to put people first. I’m running to bring independence, transparency and accountability back to county government. My work has always been about standing up to broken systems – and I’ll bring that same determination to this role.
Yes, I will serve my full term. This is not about political ambition – it’s about keeping a promise to the people of Prince George’s County and seeing that promise through.
What do you see as two important issues an at-large council member, specifically, should plan to address?
First, accountability in development. Growth should strengthen communities – not strain them. Too often, decisions have been made without fully considering infrastructure, traffic or the impact on longtime residents. We need leadership that demands transparency and ensures development works for the people who already call this county home.
Second, affordability and stability. Seniors on fixed incomes and working families alike are feeling the pressure of rising costs. We must expand affordable housing, protect homeowners and invest in services that allow people to age with dignity and stay in the communities they helped build.
At-large councilmembers must take a countywide view – and have the courage to stand up for those whose voices are too often ignored.
Noah Emmanuel Waters
Noah Emmanuel Waters is an Emergency Communications Officer at Prince George’s Community College. He is former mayor of the town of Eagle Harbor, Md., and also previously worked as a financial service provider. Waters holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Northcentral University, a private, for-profit university that has since become National University. He also holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Why are you running for this particular position and, if elected, would you commit to serving out the entirety of your term as at-large councilmember?
Under my administration as Mayor of Eagle Harbor, the town received the largest financial benefits of its nearly one hundred-year history and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, by leading and inspiring the talents of others.
I am a publicly financed candidate, meaning I cannot be controlled by developers. Also, this allows me to honor the will of the people. As mayor, I testified and helped the successful passage of Maryland’s coal ash bill (SB-425) and was one of five who testified to the State of Maryland to adopt Prince George’s County’s heritage designation (CR-038-2025).
I will work with Prince Georgians, the county council, and investors to leverage Prince George’s County’s heritage designation, along with southern Prince George’s County’s designation as part of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, to bring immediate jobs and revenue to Prince George’s County.
What do you see as two important issues an at-large council member, specifically, should plan to address?
As a former mayor looking through the lens of an experienced elected official, two important issues facing an at-large councilmember are jobs and revenue for Prince George’s County. All the wish list items such as enhanced funding for schools, public safety, medical care, child and adult services and road maintenance, etc., require funding sources such as jobs and robust sources of revenue.
The challenge is to have talented and skilled at-large councilmembers who will move away from the practice of raising property taxes to fund county services and balancing the budget.
The push for data centers by the incumbents running for county council at-large, to me, exemplifies the lack of ingenuity and leadership, considering the negative environmental, health and economic impacts associated with large data centers. At-large members need to bring alternatives to creating jobs and revenue.
Sydney Harrison
Sydney Harrison has served as county councilmember for District 9 for eight years. He is prevented from running again for that seat in this election by term limits. Harrison was previously elected to serve as the Clerk of the Circuit Court and as District 27 at-large representative for the Democratic Central Committee. He was also a real estate professional, small business owner and plumber.
Harrison did not respond to email or voicemail from the News Review.
Jennifer Rios
Jennifer Rios served in the U.S. Army for 13 years, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Rios reports she owns three small businesses. She currently serves on Governor Wes Moore’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs Committee and is president and founder of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Prince George’s County. Rios also serves on the Latino Advisory Board for County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks. She was crowned Ms. International World Petite/Mexico 2024, a specialized title within the Ms. World International Pageant system.
Rios holds a doctorate in Business Administration from Capella University, a private, for-profit online university. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in Digital Entrepreneurship from Strayer University, an online, for-profit institution.
Rios did not respond to our emails and has no phone number or contact form available on her website nor phone number in the county candidate listings. In addition to email, we attempted to reach her by Facebook message.