Edward Burroughs Achieves Landslide Win In Special Election

Prince George’s County Council Welcomes A Young, New Face

By Lindiwe Vilakazi

Edward Burroughs, the self-written, “Son of Promise,” has officially won January’s special election for the District 8, Prince George’s County Council seat after the departure of Monique Andrerson-Walker (D-District 8) in early November 2021.

A native of District 8, Burroughs has touted educational revamping across District 8 public schools since 2010. And he now believes he maintains the experience and innovative thinking to fix what has been broken within county lines.

“It’s important that the southern part of the county is treated with the dignity, and respect that we deserve. We pay some of the highest taxes in the county, [so] it is important that residents in District 8 experience the benefit of their investment,” said Burroughs. “There is a feeling, and a reality that the southern part of the county is sometimes treated as an afterthought.”

Burroughs managed a sweeping victory against his opponents, securing 5,059 votes (as recorded January 14th), garnering nearly five times the votes of the second leading candidate and former District 8 incumbent (2002-2010), Tony Knotts (D-Md).

Burroughs’ devout commitment to his community encouraged his major leap into the special election race, as he aims to rectify many of the educational, criminal justice, housing and economic challenges widely faced by District 8 community members.

“I also hope to work on issues around working families. We spend a lot of money as a county and it is important that we recruit, hire, and train people who live here to work on those projects,” Burroughs said. “Every other community seamlessly uplifts their own community and we have to do the same.”

The 29-year old trailblazer, and currently the youngest member serving on the council body, is reinitiating his door-to-door campaign to precede his first week in office, allowing him to hear the concerns and needs of numerous residents first-hand.

“We knocked on thousands of doors during this campaign, multiple times. The District 8 community is not shy. They didn’t hold back, they didn’t mince words with what their concerns were and I took a lot of notes,” said Burroughs. “I’ve already started reaching back out to residents because I promised them that if I was successful, that I am going to reach back out, and work with their issue.”

In addition to the seasoned members within his district, Burroughs also highlights his appreciation for the network of younger residents who are interested in public service around the county, as their support and communication can lead to solution-oriented change.

“I hope my [election] race is a signal to other young people that you don’t have to be much older to make a difference in your community. You can start, and if your intentions are pure and you work really hard, you can not just make it, you can thrive.”