Hawkins Steps Into The Arena
Under the Battlecry “Leadership Matters,” At-Large County Councilman Calvin Hawkins Announces Run For County Executive
By Raoul Dennis // PHOTOS BY ROBERT ROBERTS
At Large county councilmember Calvin Hawkins announced his intentions to run for the interim seat of Prince George’s County Executive.
At Large Prince George’s County Councilman Calvin Hawkins shares the key goals of his campaign in his bid for Prince George’s County Executive announced December 11, 2024.
The veteran councilmember made the announcement on Dec 11 at the centrally located Homewood Suites By Hilton Hotel in Largo.
“Prince George's County is my home,” Hawkins began. “This is where I was raised, where I raised my family, and where I dedicated my life to public service. Every road I've traveled, every challenge I've faced, has prepared me for this moment.”
Hawkins seeks to step into the seat left vacant by U.S. Senator-Elect Angela Alsobrooks who resigned at the midway point of her second term on Dec 2.
As an At-Large Councilmember Hawkins had the opportunity to be very visible across the county. He is considered a disciple of old guard county politics stepping out of the shadow of the iconic first African American County Executive Wayne K. Curry and Hawkins’ mentor former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry.
The attending crowd and well-wishers at the event reflected a roll call of the first generation black county leaders and new millennial leadership including former Maryland National Capital Park and Planning leader Dorothy Bailey, longtime county administrator and former Chief Administrative Officer Major Riddick and Maryland Senator Nick Charles. Nearly 150 energized onlookers, VIPs, youth and business leaders were in attendance.
“The most important experience I've had over the last 30 years has been my relationship with each and every one of you, the people of this county, listening to you, partnering with you, and learning to uplift your voices. I'm talking about faith leaders, non-profits, business owners, and community leaders, and the many citizens I've met along the way. Please forgive me if what I'm about to say doesn't sound humbling. I have to be honest with you because we are at a pivotal moment in the history of Prince George's County and leadership matters,” Hawkins said.
“Leadership matters!! Leadership matters!! Leadership matters!! Leadership matters,” the crowd roared in refrain.
It has not been won without obstacles; he said of his journey.
“As a young man, I spent six years of my time incarcerated for my youthful indiscretions. I want to get it out. Life forgives you in this story. That is, as I want you to understand, that wasn't the defining moment of my life. It was not the defining part in my story. It was during that time that my daughter became my agent, giving me the motivation to create a better future for myself and my family.”
Hawkins’ daughter, Tori Hawkins-Plummer, is today a community leader in her own right, easily sparking the crowd with her heated oratory skills moments before her father took the stage.
“Whatever negative press comes out, whatever the critics might say that will never deter me from walking the walk of the man who’s shown me how to be a public servant in my own right. He has shown me what it looks to think of others before yourself,” Hawkins-Plummer said.
