A group is trying to motivate Prince George’s County, Md., voters to take the special election to fill Councilwoman Leslie Johnson’s seat seriously.
When the councilwoman’s resignation takes effect Sunday, the council will order a special primary within 60 days and special election within 90 days. The group People for Change is getting a jump on the council and holding a community meeting in Lanham Thursday to get voters ready.
"Traditionally, we get a small turnout for special elections, and this is just so important an election because of the reason the seat was vacated due to corruption, pay-to-play," said Sandy Pruitt, of People for Change.
Johnson resigned from the council after pleading guilty to evidence tampering. She was accused of flushing a $100,000 check down the toilet and hiding almost $80,000 in her bra at the direction of her husband, former County Executive Jack Johnson, who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from developers.
So far, four candidates have expressed an interest in running to replace Leslie Johnson on the council: Art Turner, Mark Polk and Gerron Levi and Derrick Davis. More candidates likely will enter the race.
“I'd like to see more candidates,” community activist Robert Bowers said. “Some have a long history in Prince George's County, and that might be good. It might be better to have someone new who is not beholding to anyone and has new ideas."
