A12 From Page One executive from A1


serving eight years as sheriff. He has the backing of Johnson’s or- ganization and many of his staff members, but Johnson is official- ly on the sidelines. “We’re going to try to touch as


many voters in the next week as we can,” Jackson said as he fin- ished working the parade line. Baker is making his third run


for the seat after losing twice to Johnson, who is barred by term limits from seeking another four years. In recent weeks, Baker has picked up a slew of endorse- ments, including that of former county executiveWayne K. Curry, but he said there is more work to do. “We’re going to run like we’re 10 points behind,” he said.


The rest of the field Although Baker and Jackson


are widely considered the top contenders in the field of five, neither is assured victory. Samuel H. Dean, a former chairman of the County Council, has a loyal and vocal following. “I'm just as competitive asMi-


chael Jackson or as Rushern Bak- er, and, possibly, I may be the number one person,” Dean said Monday. “The difference is, I’m the only onewhocan go in and on Day One know how to run the county.” Two other candidates — Del.


Gerron S. Levi, a lawyer, former lobbyist for organized labor and longtime Capitol Hill staffer, and Henry C. Turner Jr., a business- man and retired Army lieutenant colonel—will peel away votes. In 1994, Prince George’s elect-


ed its first black county executive, a watershed accomplishment for one of the nation’s most affluent majority-black counties. This year, all five candidates for coun- ty executive are black. But the candidates said this


election is about three main is- sues: education, economic devel-


Candidate: Age:


Occupation:


Rushern L. Baker III 51


Lawyer, former executive director of Community Teachers Institute of Landover


Education:


BA in history and law degree, Howard University


Residence: Cheverly SOURCES: Staff reports


opment and further reduction of the crime rate. Overall crime is at its lowest point in 34 years, but the homicide rate, among the region’s highest, is more akin to that of the District than those of its suburban neighbors.The exec- utive has no formal role in educa- tion, but all the candidates say they will use the bully pulpit to improve the schools. Residents have been pleading for business- es that create jobs and boost the county’s tax base. Many voters have raised con-


cerns that Johnson’s government was tight-lipped and engaged in cronyism. “The electorate is not afraid to speak up and say how they feel about the issues, and the politicians are paying attention,” said Karren Pope-Onwukwe, a Hyattsville lawyer and a member


of the Democratic National Com- mittee. Prince George’s has a long-


standing cap on taxes known as TRIM, orTax Reform Initiative by Marylanders. Still, residents pay among the region’s highest taxes. The county’s ability to pay for its $2.6 billion annual budget — Montgomery’s is much bigger, at $4.3 billion — is hampered by a comparatively weak commercial tax base. “How can you have a county


that has the highest socioeco- nomic group of African Ameri- cans and have schools that are at the bottom of the barrel?” Pope- Onwukwe asked. “When many companies are trying to hire someone, they want to be able to say we are located in such and such a place and the school sys-


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Education and jobs Baker has said that fixing the


education system is the first step to improving the county’s overall position in the region. “We have a good system, but


you are paying for great,” he said. “We must begin by providing retention bonuses and incentives for successful teachers who are committed to our system and its lowest-performing schools.” Baker is the only county execu-


tive candidate to say that fur- loughs of teachers and police that the council and Johnson ap- proved this year were a mistake. Dean said the move, although


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District of Columbia


forums, Dean often tells audienc- es that many of the county’s public schools are good but suffer from undeserved image prob-


Samuel H. Dean 74


Member, County Council


Education: BS, management and technology, Univerity of Maryland, University College


Lake Arbor


Michael Jackson 46 Prince George’s sheriff


Gerron S. Levi 51


Member of House of Delegates


BS electronic engineer- ing technology, DeVry University; MS manage- ment science, Johns Hopkins University


Brandywine


BA history and economics, University of California at Berkeley; law degree, Howard University


Woodmore


Henry C. Turner Jr. 52


Senior acquisitions logistics analyst; assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology


BS engineering, U.S. Military Academy; MBA, Babson College; advanced program management, Defense Systems Management College


Upper Marlboro THE WASHINGTON POST


lems. He has urged more “collab- oration and partnership” and a focus on middle schools and pre- kindergarten to third grade. Jackson, who has been en-


dorsed by school unions, said he is best poised to work with the school board to set up a job-based curriculum. He would like to bring in


unions, businesses and others as partners. “This will lead to jobs on graduation and a decline in delinquency and absenteeism be- cause young people will see the relevancy of their education to their future in the workforce, whether as a plumber, a chemist or a solar- or wind-power techni- cian.” Levi, whose political platform includes what she calls a “10- point plan,” hopes to reduce school suspensions, cut chronic absenteeism, and produce more high-achieving students through specialized programs. She also proposes job development through technology transfer to Prince George’s companies. Levi says that a task force should look at ways to stabilize rents for seniors and that more affordable housing should be part of new developments.


EZ SU


KLMNO Race to lead Pr. George’s intensifies as primary nears


Comparing the Democratic candidates Five candidates are seeking the Democratic nomination for county executive in Prince George’s County in the Sept. 14 primary. Because of the county’s overwhelming Democratic registration, winning the primary virtually ensures victory in November. Te pivotal race to succeed Jack B. Johnson, barred by term limits from running for a third term, comes at a time of profound challenges as Prince George’s seeks more jobs, better schools and a lower crime rate.


TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 Turner says the county is in a


“crisis” that should be addressed by creating economic develop- ment opportunities that would attract state and federal funds, increasing accountability in the school system and promoting re- newable energy.


The front-runners In an interviewMonday, Baker


suggested that his rising number of endorsements from unions and state and local lawmakers shows broad-based support. “I think the reason that I’m


getting the support from elected officials and unions the way I am is because they recognizemy abil- itywhenI was chair of the delega- tion to bring people together and get something done,” he said. But Jackson campaign spokes-


woman Karen DeWitt said: “What’s he done since 2006? Nothing.” Candidates’ polls show Baker


and Jackson leading, and many say Dean is in a position to pull votes from both. Baker received support from the five of the coun- ty’s senators and some labor unions, and Jackson has broad union backing. In addition to a highly publi-


cized incident in which sheriff ’s deputies shot and killed two dogs belonging to themayor of Berwyn Heights, the sheriff ’s office has come under scrutiny recently in two matters. A warrant in a do- mestic violence case was mis- placed, and the suspect was later accused of killing his girlfriend. Two of Jackson’s top deputies, including one who had been his campaign treasurer, were indict- ed on embezzlement charges. Baker’s nonprofit group, Com-


munity Teachers Institute, failed to file required tax information with Maryland’s charity regula- tors from 2005 to 2007. He said the organization’s financial con- dition left it unable to hire an auditor. The paperwork is up to date, he has said. Ericka Farrell of Oxon Hill, a


program analyst at the Environ- mental Protection Agency and the PTA president at John Han- son Middle School, said the new executive must be focused. “What I am looking for is that


the next county executive is able to understand the importance of getting our schools up to par so we can attract businesses to grow the tax base,” she said. “We need somebody to pay attention to that and get it straight.” spivackm@washpost.com davisa@washpost.com


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