🗳️ The Quiet Storm in District 9
Four contenders emerge for Prince George’s County Council seat as Sydney Harrison exits stage left
As Councilmember Sydney J. Harrison nears the end of his second term representing District 9, a quiet but consequential race is beginning to take shape. Harrison, a Democrat and former Clerk of the Circuit Court, has held the seat since 2018 and served in multiple leadership roles, including Vice-Chair of the Council and Chair of the Education & Workforce Development Committee. While some view Harrison as aligned with the county’s east-side establishment, few dispute his steady hand and commitment to infrastructure, education, and economic development.
Now, with the seat open, four candidates have emerged—each bringing distinct credentials and constituencies to the table.
1. Lolita E. Walker
The School Board Strategist
Walker may be the sleeper candidate with the strongest electoral footing. Currently serving on the Prince George’s County Board of Education for District 9, she’s already won countywide support and navigated the political minefield of public education. With a background in industrial engineering and an MBA, Walker transitioned from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, authorship, and TEDx speaking. Her campaign emphasizes governance, parental engagement, and policy literacy—skills honed in one of the county’s most scrutinized arenas: the school board.
Her win in a contested education race gives her a leg up in name recognition and political credibility. In a district where education and youth services are top-tier concerns, Walker’s candidacy could resonate deeply.
2. Tamara Davis Brown
The Legal Advocate with Deep Roots
Brown is no stranger to District 9 politics. A seasoned attorney and community advocate, she’s previously run for council and built a reputation for tenacity and grassroots engagement. Her work spans education advocacy, housing reform, and environmental stewardship. Brown was instrumental in preserving TRIM, the county’s property tax cap, and has fought to keep local schools open and accountable.
While she hasn’t yet clinched the seat, her prior campaigns have laid groundwork—and early signals suggest she’s the frontrunner among insiders watching the race.
🔗 https://www.tamaradavisbrown.org/
3. Imara Crooms
The Organizer with Global Perspective
Crooms enters the race as a publicly financed Democrat with a platform rooted in smart development, transportation equity, and transparent leadership. His campaign emphasizes community-involved planning and international experience applied to local governance. Crooms positions himself as a responsive, accessible alternative to establishment politics, with a focus on building for the next generation—including his own daughter.
4. Sherman Hardy
The Systems Analyst Turned Watchdog
Hardy brings a countywide lens from his 2022 run for County Executive. With a background in emergency management and acquisitions, he’s focused on government accountability, constituent services, and youth retention. Hardy’s critique of current leadership centers on transparency and responsiveness—especially in housing, permitting, and public safety.
🧭 What Comes Next
District 9 includes a sprawling mix of rural and suburban communities—Accokeek, Brandywine, Clinton, Fort Washington, and Upper Marlboro among them. The race will likely hinge on turnout, regional loyalties, and the ability to mobilize voters around education, development, and constituent services. With Sydney Harrison stepping down, the question isn’t just who will fill his shoes—but which direction the district wants to walk next.
More to come as filings, endorsements, and campaign finance data roll in.
Harrison does not have to say he is stepping down. He is Term Limited.
Where has Harrison said he was stepping down?