Council District 9
Jimmy O’Toole on the Prince George’s County Executive Race: A Field in Motion
The sleepy primary season in Prince George’s County just woke up. According to longtime observer Jimmy O’Toole, several political giants have stepped into high-level races, reshaping the terrain in real time.
County Executive: A Young Challenger and a Businessman in the Mix
Charnell Ferguson, a young woman with experience in Council Member Mel Franklin’s office and the NAACP, has filed to run for County Executive. Jimmy O’Toole calls her “kind and friendly” and encourages voters to support her. Also in the race is Greg Holmes, a business owner with deep local ties.
At-Large Council: Sydney Harrison’s Strategic Shift
District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison, formerly Clerk of the Court, has filed to run for the at-large seat. His voting record — including opposition to David Murray’s appointment and possible resistance to Tim Adams — has stirred debate. The at-large race may also attract Edward Burroughs or Rushern Baker, raising questions about money, nostalgia, and political machinery.
Register of Wills: Belinda Queen Rumored to Run
Belinda Queen, once rumored for the at-large seat, is now expected to run for Register of Wills. Jimmy O’Toole believes she’d be excellent in the role and urges voters to support her if she enters.
District 9: The Marquee Race
This is the race to watch. Lolita Walker has filed, reportedly with support from Edward Burroughs and allies like Aisha Braveboy. That backing could mean full poll coverage across key precincts — Brandywine, Upper Marlboro, Suitland, Clinton, and possibly Bowie.
Tamara Davis Brown is also in the race, with strong community ties and funding. Sherman Hardy may have early voting coverage, while other candidates — including Imara Crooms, Reverend Dwight, and a lesser-known candidate with initials Saquon Swint — face uphill battles.
Jimmy’s projected order of finish:
Lolita Walker, Tamara Davis Brown, Imara Crooms, Sherman Hardy, Noah Waters, Reverend Dwight, and Saquon Swint.
The Bigger Picture: Aisha Braveboy’s Future
Jimmy speculates that Braveboy is raising money for a future statewide run — possibly Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, or Comptroller. But he warns: the more she spends now, the weaker her position for 2030 or 2034. Her favorability ceiling may be lower than Angela Alsobrooks’, and her style — less stadium-crowd, more reserved — could limit expansion.
Final Thought: Watch the Alliances
With Brooke, Wes, and Anthony Brown all presumed winners in their lanes, the real drama lies in the shifting allegiances, money flows, and down-ballot dynamics. Jimmy O’Toole urges readers to track who’s backing whom — because that’s where the future is being built.
Why Charnell Ferguson Is the Right Choice for Prince George’s County, Now
This time, Charnell Ferguson should be the choice for Prince George’s County.
What many people don’t realize is that the loudest, flashiest figures are often not the ones doing the real work. Behind the scenes, it is people like Charnell Ferguson, steady, committed, and results driven, who actually make government function. They are rarely glorified, rarely celebrated, and often overshadowed by expensive campaigns, polished soundbites, and the illusion of “experience.”
We have been conditioned to believe that executive titles or famous last names automatically equal effective leadership. But what have we actually seen? Experience is not inherited. Executive skill is not proven by lineage, money, or long résumés, it is proven by service, consistency, and competence.
Charnell Ferguson represents a different kind of leadership, fresh, intelligent, and fully qualified. Her experience is not theoretical, it is practical. It is grounded in real work, real governance, and real results. No one should question whether she has “executive experience,” because no one is born with it. Every executive had a first opportunity. This is hers.
This is also a moment for renewal. The youth must rise, but not alone. Adults who value accountability, effectiveness, and service must rise with them. Leadership should not be about name recognition or personal wealth. It should be about who will serve the people best.
Too often, we only hear from leaders during election season, while decisions are made quietly and money is spent lavishly without meaningful public engagement. That is not the leadership Prince George’s County deserves.
I do not know Charnell Ferguson personally. But I took the time to read her record, follow her work, and understand her qualifications. I encourage others to do the same. Informed voting, not inherited loyalty, is how real change happens.
We do not need candidates who see public office as an opportunity. We need leaders who see it as a responsibility.
Prince George’s County deserves management, integrity, and decisive service. Charnell Ferguson has the experience, the discipline, and the commitment to deliver.
This is the time. Let common sense rise. Let service come first. Vote accordingly.
O’Toole is out of touch, especially concerning Braveboy.
This comment is particularly disconnected:
“This is the race to watch. Lolita Walker has filed, reportedly with support from Edward Burroughs and allies like Aisha Braveboy. That backing could mean full poll coverage across key precincts — Brandywine, Upper Marlboro, Suitland, Clinton, and possibly Bowie.”
Between the horrible snow response and alarmingly poor judgment around ‘hotel-gate’, she’s finished. She won’t get reelected and certainly will not win a statewide election. Any candidate who wants her backing is unserious and has poor judgment too. She’s a liability now. I cannot imagine a state level endorsement at this point.