Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan is among those who will be considered for a seat on Prince George’s County Council. The vacancy was announced only last week (see page 8 of the January 15 issue) and an appointment is expected to be made next Tuesday, January 27.
Jordan told the News Review he’s given it quite a bit of thought and been approached by residents and elected officials who have urged him over the last week to put his name forward. “I care deeply about city council and my responsibilities as mayor, so I’m not taking this lightly,” Jordan told the News Review on Tuesday, when he confirmed his decision to apply.
“I have 17 years of experience in the municipal government and a strong foundation to build from,” said Jordan. “I think I am very well qualified for the position.”
District 4 Vacancy
The Prince George’s County Council seat for District 4, which includes Greenbelt, became vacant on January 16 after Ingrid Watson stepped down to become president and CEO of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation. The one-week application period closed Wednesday, January 21 at 5 p.m. and, since it is within the last year of the term, county councilmembers will vote to fill the position that is scheduled to end December 5, 2026. A public informational briefing is expected to be held after the application window closes and a vote on the appointment is scheduled to take place during the next county council meeting on Tuesday, January 27.
Jordan’s Experience
Jordan has worked closely with Watson as well as other county councilmembers in the past, he said. He is unsure of his chances of being appointed and sees his biggest challenge as demonstrating his knowledge of the broader county, of which he’s been a resident since 1998. Jordan’s concerns and priorities as mayor of Greenbelt include jobs, the local economy, public safety, juvenile justice, housing affordability, education and current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, among others. These are concerns he believes are shared by neighbors across District 4, and about which he has many years of experience, Jordan says. “So why am I doing this? Because Greenbelt residents shouldn’t have to wait 30 years between opportunities to serve on county council. The last Greenbelter to hold this seat was Richard Castaldi in 1994 – three decades ago,” said Jordan.
Though it has been decades since a Greenbelt resident held a county council seat, Castaldi’s experience offers precedent for a transition from Greenbelt mayor to county council. Former Greenbelt mayor Castaldi resigned from city council in December 1982 to take a Prince George’s County Council seat (see the December 2, 1982 issue). Castaldi represented District 4 for 12 years and served as chair of county council for part of his tenure.
Jordan’s Record in Greenbelt
Jordan was first elected to Greenbelt’s City Council in 2009 and was the first African American to serve on council. He first became mayor in 2013 and has served in that role for over 10 nonconsecutive years. He was mayor from 2013 to 2019 before being named mayor again in 2021, 2023 and recently in November 2025. His tenure as mayor was interrupted for two years by Colin Byrd’s single term as mayor when Byrd was the highest vote-getter in the 2019 election, which is how the mayor has historically been selected, though council votes on whom to appoint. Jordan enjoys broad support in the city and is regularly in attendance at community events. During his time as mayor, Jordan says he’s built durable partnerships with leaders at the county, state and federal levels. He serves on the Maryland Municipal League and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. In November he finished a two-year term on the the board of directors of the National League of Cities and he is a past president of the Prince George’s County Municipal Association. Should Jordan be appointed to the county council seat Greenbelt will hold a special election to fill the city council vacancy. The city council voted last year to amend the city code to specify a special election should be held if a vacancy on council occurs with more than 181 days until the next election. It diverged from the process to appoint Amy Knesel to council in 2024 following the death of Ric Gordon.
Should Jordan resign, Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Weaver would become mayor until the council votes to elect a new mayor.
Speaking to the News Review Tuesday morning, City Manager Josué Salmerón said, “While it would be sad to see the mayor leave the city council, such a move could present a meaningful opportunity for both the city and the mayor. Having representation from Greenbelt on the county council would strengthen advocacy for the interests of Greenbelt and the surrounding communities. In particular, it is important that any representative understand and champion Greenbelt as a home-rule municipality with distinct values, a strong sense of community and a long tradition of civic engagement.”
A Spate of Appointments
The recent spate of county council appointments began after County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins II stepped down and the council appointed one of their own, Wala Blegay, to Hawkins’ at-large position. Then, council appointed Danielle Hunter to the District 6 seat vacated by Blegay. Hunter was appointed from over 20 applicants. She had not held elected office but had experience in county government as director of appointments for County Executive Aisha Braveboy.
Jordan noted the council was moving swiftly to fill appointments on a condensed timeline and had strong ideas about what they want. He wasn’t sure of his chances Tuesday, but says he has strong knowledge of the entire district and hopes to convince folks he is the best candidate. He will have that opportunity during Friday’s public informational briefing at which applicants will likely have just a couple of minutes each to speak.
The appointee should be named before our next issue
