Prince George’s State’s Attorney Hopes To Follow Tested Path to The Office Of The County Executive

Story and Photography By Raoul Dennis

Prince George’s State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy is very clear about one thing: there is a tested and true path to the county executive’s office that runs through her current position of states attorney.

It worked for Jack Johnson and Angela Alsobrooks.

Braveboy plans to draw on that successful path and she made it clear Dec. 19 when she announced her bid for the office citing it as her opening argument.

“I put together my opening arguments for my case, I'm not going to make any assumptions,” Braveboy said. “I am putting my background, my credentials, my accomplishments, my plans, and my word on the record here today. Ladies and gentlemen of Prince George's County, my name is Aisha Braveboy, and I represent the nearly one million people of Prince George's County. As of 9:45 today, I am a proud candidate for the office of Prince George’s County Executive.”

Braveboy outlined her bio and included her vision for the county. She included better options for seniors, the importance of the county’s AAA bond rating, supporting small and minority businesses and the value of compassion in leadership.

“I am the daughter of an immigrant from Grenada, and a Catholic school girl from Washington D.C. I also did my DNA test and discovered that I am 52.9% Nigerian,” she said.

“I am the only candidate for county executive that has served in all three branches of government, the executive branch, legislative branch, and now the judicial branch,” Braveboy noted as a key part of her qualifications in understanding how government works.

Braveboy shared her jobs and support for workers chops which included increasing the minimum wage and delivering on major county projects.

“While serving in the executive branch, I worked to deliver major projects like National Harbor and Woodmore Town Center. I learned the county's budget process and the importance of working collaboratively with the legislative branch to pass priorities like Collective Bargaining Agreements to ensure that government workers were paid fairly and have safe working conditions,” she said.

Holding the announcement at the IUPAT Building, Braveboy signaled her commitment to labor.

Labor leader Brian Cordy, a business manager at the IUPAT District Council 51, said the state’s attorney has been a consistent ally to labor.

“Aisha has consistently stood with us and working people,” Cordy said. “She has been a champion for the rights and dignity of workers across our community.”

Other speakers at the event included the Collins family who son, 2nd Lieutenant Richard W. Collins, was killed in a violent hate crime in Bowie. Braveboy pushed to get new legislation against hate crimes. County Councilmembers Ed Burroughs, Wala Blegay and Krystal Oriadha attended and extended their full endorsement to Braveboy.

“We have such real opportunity,” Burroughs said. “We have a real opportunity to say that when all these contractors coming to the county and we need to say that if you want to do business in Prince George’s County, you must recruit, hire and train Prince George’s County residents.”

He continued: “We give almost half a billion dollars of recreation to Park and Recreation but if we’re honest with ourselves we see young people on the side of the road begging for helmets. In Prince George’s County when we give almost half a billion dollars to recreation, we should have no kids on the side of the road begging for helmets.”

“We are fighting for the soul of Prince George’s County. This is a war,” Blegay said. “When I decided to endorse Aisha Braveboy, it was a matter of who’s fighting for us when we are not in the room watching.”

“What is at stake right now is getting a leader that I don’t have to fight and plead and beg to get the resources that we need to take care of our people,” Oriadha said.

Bishop Anthony Muse brought the fiery passion of the pulpit to his remarks.

“Before I pass on I want to see the dream of the economic vision of the Civil Rights Movement become reality. There is enough room at the table for everyone and I believe Aisha Braveboy can help us get there,” Muse said.

Braveboy key accomplishments / career highlights

Current Two-Term Elected State's Attorney

Former MD State Delegate (D-25)

Former Children's Hospital Executive

Bills passed:

Hate Crimes, Ghost Guns, Strangulation, Organized Crime

90% Homicide Conviction Rate

Over 40% Decrease: Intimate Partner Homicides

Over 30% Reduction: Carjacking Crime