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Rushern Baker

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Rushern Baker
7th Executive of Prince George's County
In office
December 6, 2010 – December 3, 2018
Preceded byJack B. Johnson
Succeeded byAngela Alsobrooks
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 22B district
In office
August 11, 1994 – January 8, 2003
Appointed byWilliam Donald Schaefer
Preceded byPaul G. Pinsky
Succeeded byTawanna P. Gaines
Anne Healey
Justin Ross
Personal details
Born
Rushern Leslie Baker III

(1958-10-24) October 24, 1958 (age 66)
Valdosta, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Christa Beverly
(died 2021)
Children3, including Rushern IV
EducationHoward University (BA, JD)
Signature
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1987–2001
RankCaptain
UnitJ.A.G. Corps

Rushern Leslie Baker III (born October 24, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 7th county executive of Prince George's County, Maryland from 2010 to 2018. He previously served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1994 to 2003, representing District 22B in northern Prince George's County. A member of the Democratic Party, Baker unsuccessfully ran for governor of Maryland in 2018 and 2022.

Early life and education

[edit]

Baker was born in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 24, 1958.[1] His father, Rushern Jr., was an officer in the United States Army Special Forces and served in the Vietnam War and his mother, Carolyn, worked as a nurse's aide.[2][3] Baker moved frequently during his childhood, including stints in Okinawa, Japan, before eventually settling in Springfield, Massachusetts.[2][4]

Baker recalled having learning struggles in school.[5] He attended five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools[6] before graduating from Classical High School,[4] where he played for the high school football team as a running back and defensive back.[6] Afterwards, Baker attended Howard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1982 and his Juris Doctor degree in 1986,[1] and was a member of the student government association.[6] Afterwards, Baker enlisted in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, serving from 1987 to 2001 and attaining the rank of captain.[1]

Career

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After law school, Baker worked as a senior Congressional Black Caucus fellow in the office of U.S. Senator John Kerry for one year, afterwards working as a contract complaints officer in the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development from 1987 to 1989. After serving as a legal counsel and special assistant for the Peoples Involvement Corporation from 1989 to 1999, Baker ran his own law firm, Baker & Perry LLP, until 2002.[1]

Baker served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2024.[1]

Maryland House of Delegates

[edit]

Baker was appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates by Governor William Donald Schaefer to succeed Paul G. Pinsky, who was appointed to the Maryland Senate.[7] He was sworn in on August 11, 1994. Baker served as a member of the Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 1998, afterwards serving on the Appropriations Committee from 1999 to 2003. He was also a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and was the chair of the Prince George's County Delegation from 1999 to 2003.[1] During his tenure, Baker opposed legislation to provide $270 million in state funding for National Football League stadiums in Baltimore and Prince George's County,[8] a bill designating English as the official state language,[9] and the nomination of Richard N. Dixon—whose policies Baker compared to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas—as Maryland State Treasurer.[10] He supported bills to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation,[11] require the state to translate all public documents and forms into Spanish,[12] and limit the powers of the Prince George's County Board of Education.[13]

Prince George's County Executive

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Elections

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2002
[edit]

In early 2000, Baker announced that he would run for Prince George's County Executive in 2002, seeking to succeed term-limited county executive Wayne Curry.[14] He targeted women voters and enjoyed a boost in momentum after The Washington Post endorsed his campaign during the Democratic primary,[15] but continued to trail county state's attorney Jack B. Johnson in polling up to election day.[16] Baker was defeated in the Democratic primary by Johnson on September 10, 2002, placing second-to-last with 12.5 percent of the vote.[17]

2006
[edit]

In June 2005, Baker announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to run for Prince George's County Executive in 2006, challenging incumbent county executive Jack B. Johnson.[18] He declared his candidacy in January 2006, and ran a campaign criticizing Johnson's handling of crime and education in Prince George's County.[19] Baker was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary in September 2006, receiving 47.5 percent of the vote to Johnson's 52.5 percent.[20]

2010
[edit]

Baker thrice ran for Prince George's County Executive in 2010, seeking to succeed term-limited county executive Jack B. Johnson.[21] He won the Democratic primary in September 2010, defeating Prince George's County Sheriff Michael A. Jackson, who was backed by Johnson,[22] and state delegate Gerron Levi with 43.9 percent of the vote.[23] Baker ran unopposed in the general election.[24]

2014
[edit]

Baker filed to run for re-election as county executive in February 2014.[25] He ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections.[26]

Tenure

[edit]
Baker at the construction of MGM National Harbor, 2015

Baker was sworn in as Prince George's County Executive on December 6, 2010.[1]

During his tenure, Baker advocated for efforts to lure and retain businesses to the county and simplified the county's permitting process, which caused Prince George's County to undergo an economic revival that saw it lead the state's other jurisdictions in job growth and allowed it to achieve a budget surplus. Revitalization projects in the county's underserved communities and major development projects—including the MGM National Harbor casino, the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, and the Purple Line transit line—broke ground under his administration. Baker also pushed for reforms to the county's ethics law amid the arrest of his predecessor, Jack B. Johnson, on federal corruption charges; and sought to rehabilitate the county's school system by proposing legislation to restructure the county Board of Education.[27] He unsuccessfully sought to raise property taxes in Prince George's County to pay for education reforms and supported a failed referendum that would have increased the number of terms that county-elected officials could serve from two to three.[2]

Baker received criticism for his handling of education issues in Prince George's County. After the Maryland General Assembly passed Baker-backed legislation in 2013 that allowed him to appoint the superintendent of the Prince George's County Board of Education as well as many of its members, Baker appointed Kevin Maxwell to serve as the board's superintendent. Under Maxwell's tenure, the school system lost $6.4 million in federal Head Start grants after a review found that county officials failed to address complaints that teachers in the program were humiliating and using corporal punishment against students;[28] and was the subject of a state probe that found that the grades of nearly 5,500 students were altered between 2015 and 2017, which prompted the Maryland State Board of Education to assign a monitor to prevent future grade manipulation.[28] Maxwell also approved large pay raises to a number of central-office employees without board approval.[29] After Maxwell's tenure became an issue during the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Baker defended Maxwell by highlighting that the school system added nearly 9,000 students under his tenure and expanded specialty programs, including language immersion, full-day prekindergarten, and dual enrollment.[28]

Baker initially declined to say how he would vote on Maryland Question 6, a ballot referendum to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland, but finally endorsed the referendum in October 2012.[30]

Gubernatorial campaigns

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2018

[edit]

On June 21, 2017, Baker announced that he would run for governor of Maryland in 2018, challenging incumbent Republican Governor Larry Hogan.[2] In February 2018, Baker chose former 2016 Baltimore mayoral candidate Elizabeth Embry as his running mate.[31]

During the Democratic primary, Baker touted his accomplishments toward the economy and crime as county executive,[32][33][34] and supported proposals to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, increase funding for state community colleges,[35] accelerate the state's clean energy transition,[36] and revive the Red Line.[37] He received endorsements from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen,[38] U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer,[39] Attorney General Brian Frosh,[40] Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett,[41] and former governors Parris Glendening[42] and Martin O'Malley.[43] He also received financial support from businessman David Trone, who was running for Congress in Maryland's 6th congressional district.[44]

2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary election results by county:
Map legend
  •   Jealous—40–50%
  •   Jealous—30–40%
  •   Baker—30–40%
  •   Baker—40–50%

Baker was defeated by former NAACP president Ben Jealous in the Democratic primary election on June 26, 2018, placing second with 29.3 percent of the vote.[45] The Washington Post blamed his loss on Baker's failure to aggressively tout his accomplishments as county executive, lackluster fundraising skills, and his past conflicts with county unions and activists.[46] Following his defeat, Baker campaigned for Jealous in the general election,[47] in which Jealous was defeated by Hogan.[48]

2022

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On April 8, 2021, Baker that he would again run for governor of Maryland in 2022, seeking to succeed term-limited Governor Larry Hogan.[49] His running mate was Nancy Navarro, a member of the Montgomery County Council from 2009 to 2022.[50] During the Democratic primary, Baker unveiled a crime and policing plan that included proposals to increase police hiring, address vacant housing in Baltimore, and provide jobs and education to squeegee boys.[51] He also criticized the leaked draft majority opinion for the U.S. Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.[52]

Initially viewed as one of the frontrunners in the race alongside Comptroller Peter Franchot, Baker fell behind in polls and fundraising; by June 2022, his campaign reported having less than $100,000 cash on hand and placing a distant fourth in polls of the Democratic primary. Furthermore, many of the high-profile elected officials who backed Baker's 2018 campaign had endorsed other candidates. He suspended his campaign on June 10, 2022.[53]

Post-county executive career

[edit]

Since leaving office, Baker has run his own consulting firm, Baker Strategy Group.[54] In July 2019, Senate President Thomas V. Miller Jr. appointed Baker to the University of Maryland Medical System board.[55] During his tenure, Baker worked with the University of Maryland, College Park to establish the Elected Executive Leadership Program.[56][57] He left the board 2021.[1]

In November 2024, after county executive Angela Alsobrooks won the 2024 United States Senate election in Maryland, Baker said that he would run to succeed Alsobrooks as county executive.[58]

Personal life

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Baker met his wife, Christa Beverly, as an undergraduate at Howard University in 1978.[59] Baker is a member of Gamma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.[60] The Bakers lived in Washington, D.C., briefly, before settling in Cheverly, Maryland, where they raised three children, including son Rushern Baker IV.[2][61] Rushern IV briefly served as Baker's campaign manager during the final weeks of his 2022 gubernatorial campaign.[62]

In 2010, Baker's wife, Christa, was diagnosed with Early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The family decided to speak publicly about her diagnosis in 2012 in order to increase awareness for the disease and advocate for greater funding for medical research.[63][64] Baker is an active member of the Alzheimer's Association.[65] In 2016, Baker got a tattoo of her initials and the logo for the Alzheimer's Association on his arm.[66] Christa died due to Alzheimer's disease on September 18, 2021.[67]

In March 2024, Baker received the Thomas Kennedy Award from the Maryland House of Delegates.[68]

Electoral history

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Maryland House of Delegates District 22B Democratic primary election, 1994[69]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rushern Baker (incumbent) 1,141 49.9
Democratic David Bird 705 30.9
Democratic John Pepper 439 19.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 22B election, 1994[70]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rushern Baker (incumbent) 3,244 100.0
Maryland House of Delegates District 22B election, 1998[71]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rushern Baker (incumbent) 4,630 83.4
Republican Peter Justesen 923 16.6
Prince George's County Executive Democratic primary election, 2002[72]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jack B. Johnson 39,503 37.0
Democratic M. H. Jim Estepp 20,748 19.5
Democratic C. Anthony Muse 19,976 18.7
Democratic Rushern Baker 13,344 12.5
Democratic Major Riddick 13,102 12.3
Prince George's County Executive Democratic primary election, 2006[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jack B. Johnson (incumbent) 55,403 52.5
Democratic Rushern Baker 50,141 47.5
Prince George's County Executive Democratic primary election, 2010[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rushern Baker 41,352 43.9
Democratic Michael A. Jackson 30,788 32.7
Democratic Samuel H. Dean 11,728 12.5
Democratic Gerron Levi 6,983 7.4
Democratic Henry C. Turner Jr. 3,272 3.5
Prince George's County Executive election, 2010[73]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rushern Baker 206,924 99.3
Write-in 1,543 0.7
Prince George's County Executive election, 2014[74]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rushern Baker (incumbent) 195,849 98.8
Write-in 2,293 1.2
Maryland gubernatorial Democratic primary, 2018[75]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic 231,895 39.6
Democratic
171,696 29.3
Democratic 48,647 8.3
Democratic 48,041 8.2
Democratic
34,184 5.8
Democratic
18,851 3.2
Democratic
13,780 2.4
Democratic
  • Ralph Jaffe
  • Freda Jaffe
9,405 1.6
Democratic
  • James Jones
  • Charles Waters
9,188 1.6
Maryland gubernatorial Democratic primary, 2022[76]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic 217,524 32.4
Democratic
202,175 30.1
Democratic
141,586 21.1
Democratic
26,594 4.0
Democratic
25,481 3.8
Democratic
24,882 3.7
Democratic
  • Ashwani Jain
  • LaTrece Hawkins Lytes
13,784 2.1
Democratic
  • Jon Baron
  • Natalie Williams
11,880 1.8
Democratic
4,276 0.6
Democratic
  • Ralph Jaffe
  • Mark Greben
2,978 0.4

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rushern L. Baker III, County Executive, Prince George's County, Maryland". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hernández, Arelis R. (June 21, 2017). "Rushern Baker, leader of Prince George's, to run for Md. governor in 2018". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  3. ^ Moriarty, Jo-Ann (April 15, 1991). "Springfield native guides D.C. mayor". The Republican. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Maryland Voter Guide – Rushern Baker III". Capital News Service. May 10, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  5. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (June 7, 2018). "Rushern Baker: Economic success, political bruising as leader of Prince George's". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Thomson, Candus (January 18, 2000). "Baker is P.G. politician to watch". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Maryland General Assembly, 1994 session". Archives of Maryland. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Waldron, Thomas W. (March 22, 1996). "Funding for stadiums secured". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Marsh, Sara (March 24, 1998). "House OKs bill on state language". The Capital. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Waldron, Thomas W. (September 15, 1997). "Ex-critics give Dixon high remarks". Carroll County Times. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Gay anti-discrimination bill receives House approval". Carroll County Times. March 25, 1999. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Thomson, Candus (December 15, 1999). "Latinos denied equal access, study concludes". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "House votes to limit power of PG County school board". The Star Democrat. February 15, 2002. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Dresser, Michael (May 2, 2000). "Considering a run for executive". The Republican. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Dresser, Michael (August 17, 2002). "Prince George's primary recalls city mayoral race". The Republican. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Voters to choose from crowded field in Prince George's County". The Star Democrat. September 10, 2002. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Schaefer easily wins primary". The Baltimore Sun. September 11, 2002. Retrieved August 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Former Del. Baker aspires to office in Prince George's". The Baltimore Sun. June 7, 2005. Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Former delegate to challenge PG county executive". The Star Democrat. January 4, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b "Prince George's County Election Returns". Maryland State Board of Elections. September 12, 2006.
  21. ^ "Md. delegate will run for Prince George's exec". The Star Democrat. January 15, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Johnson believed to be backing Jackson". The Star Democrat. June 28, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ a b "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Prince George's County". Maryland State Board of Elections. September 14, 2010.
  24. ^ Brownback, Abby (September 20, 2010). "Dead-dog ads arrive after election for PG county executive". The Star Democrat. Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Svitek, Patrick (February 21, 2014). "Rushern Baker, Prince George's county executive, files for reelection". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  26. ^ Turque, Bill (November 4, 2014). "Leggett, Baker reelected in Montgomery and Prince George's counties". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  27. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (November 30, 2018). "Rushern Baker's stubborn focus helped transform Prince George's County". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c Wiggins, Ovetta (April 30, 2018). "Baker's public schools takeover: Achievement or Achilles' heel?". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  29. ^ George, Donna St (April 26, 2018). "School system leader in Md. signed off on raises, board members allege". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  30. ^ Spivack, Miranda (October 19, 2012). "Pr. Geo.'s Executive Rushern Baker III endorses same-sex marriage legalization". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  31. ^ Cox, Erin (February 20, 2018). "Democrat Rushern Baker picks former mayoral candidate Elizabeth Embry as running mate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  32. ^ Cox, Erin (May 17, 2018). "In governor's race, Democrat Rushern Baker says he turned around Prince George's and will do same for Maryland". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  33. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (April 8, 2017). "In speeches, Rushern Baker makes his case for the governor's mansion". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  34. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Hernández, Arelis R. (June 24, 2018). "Baker, Jealous make final pitches as Maryland Democratic gubernatorial primary looms". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  35. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. "Rushern Baker: Economic success, political bruising as leader of Prince George's". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  36. ^ Cook, Chase (April 19, 2018). "Rushern Baker pushes for 100 percent clean energy, defends school system CEO". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  37. ^ Lazo, Luz (January 24, 2017). "Rushern Baker says as governor he would revive Baltimore's Red Line". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  38. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (November 2, 2017). "Van Hollen endorses Baker in Maryland governor's race". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  39. ^ Chason, Rachel (March 26, 2018). "Steny Hoyer backs Rushern Baker in Maryland governor's race". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  40. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (December 6, 2017). "Frosh endorses Baker in his bid for Maryland governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  41. ^ Siegel, Rachel (January 22, 2018). "Isiah Leggett to endorse Rushern Baker, longtime colleague and friend, for Md. governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  42. ^ Chason, Rachel (April 19, 2018). "Former governor Parris Glendening backs Rushern Baker in Maryland governor race". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  43. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (June 7, 2018). "Baker's campaign hurt by weak funding, enemies he made as county executive". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  44. ^ Hicks, Josh (February 14, 2018). "Wine magnate David Trone is throwing his support and money behind Rushern Baker's bid for Maryland governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  45. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta; Hernández, Arelis R.; McCartney, Robert (June 26, 2018). "Ben Jealous wins Maryland primary, vows to topple Republican Gov. Larry Hogan". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  46. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (June 27, 2018). "Baker's campaign hurt by weak funding, enemies he made as county executive". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  47. ^ Armus, Teo (July 19, 2018). "Ben Jealous gets warm welcome from Rushern Baker, his vanquished party rival". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  48. ^ Ng, Greg (November 7, 2018). "Gov. Larry Hogan makes history with re-election in Maryland". WBAL-TV. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  49. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (April 8, 2021). "Rushern Baker to Enter 2022 Race for Governor". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  50. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (October 12, 2021). "Rushern Baker Taps Nancy Navarro, Montgomery Councilmember, as Running Mate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  51. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (May 3, 2022). "Baker wants more officers hired to 'stop the slaughter' in Baltimore". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  52. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth; Gaines, Danielle E. (May 4, 2024). "After Leak of Draft SCOTUS Opinion on Abortion Rights, Maryland Lawmakers and Candidates Pledge Action". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  53. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (June 10, 2022). "Rushern Baker Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign, Will Likely Endorse a Democratic Rival Soon". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  54. ^ Ford, William J. (October 16, 2022). "Black activists and political leaders mobilizing to make cannabis legal in Maryland". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  55. ^ Chason, Rachel (July 9, 2019). "Rushern Baker appointed to University of Maryland Medical System board". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  56. ^ Kurtz, Josh (July 11, 2019). "Lobbying Shop Adds Ex-State Senator, Other Strategists". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  57. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (July 22, 2019). "Baker, University Teaming Up on Leadership Institute". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  58. ^ Bell, Brad (November 6, 2024). "Angela Alsobrooks heads to Senate, sparks search for new Prince George's Co. Executive". WJLA-TV. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  59. ^ Thomas-Lester, Avis (August 30, 2006). "In Pr. George's, the Unknown vs. the Charmer". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  60. ^ "Omega Chapters of Prince George's County, MD". National Pan-Hellenic Council of Prince George's County. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  61. ^ Aizenman, Nurith C. (September 4, 2002). "A Rising Star's Biggest Risk". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  62. ^ Kurtz, Josh; Gaines, Danielle E.; DePuyt, Bruce (June 2, 2022). "Political Notes: Brown Snags AFSCME Backing, MPT Debate Announced, New Role for Baker Campaign Chief, and More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  63. ^ "Weighing Politics At Work, Wife's Dementia At Home". NPR.org.
  64. ^ Spivack, Miranda S. (July 31, 2012). "As Rushern Baker leads Pr. George's, his wife's memory fades". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  65. ^ Hernandez, Arelis (November 30, 2018). "Rushern Baker's stubborn focus helped transform Prince George's County". The Washington Post.
  66. ^ Hernández, Arelis R. (April 12, 2023). "This local politician just got a tattoo in honor of his wife". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  67. ^ Gallagher, Julie (September 18, 2021). "Christa Beverly Baker, wife of Md. gubernatorial candidate Rushern Baker, dies at 61". WTOP.com.
  68. ^ Kurtz, Josh; Sears, Bryan P. (March 21, 2024). "Political notes: House of Delegates awards 3, state Dems get new leaders, powerful ex-senator dies". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  69. ^ "1994 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  70. ^ "1994 Gubernatorial General Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  71. ^ "1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  72. ^ "Prince George's County Election Returns". Maryland State Board of Elections. September 10, 2002.
  73. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for Prince George's County". Maryland State Board of Elections. November 2, 2010.
  74. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for Prince George's County". Maryland State Board of Elections. November 4, 2014.
  75. ^ "Unofficial 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Governor / Lt. Governor". Maryland State Board of Elections. Annapolis, Maryland: State Board of Elections. July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  76. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for Governor / Lt. Governor". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 19, 2022. Archived from the original on July 31, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Executive of Prince George's County
2010–2018
Succeeded by