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What’s the job: The legislative branch of Maryland’s county governments. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving county spending and providing oversight of county operations. Elected to a four-year term.
Democratic
Name: Michelle García
Age: 50
Personal: I am a mother and first-generation college graduate with deep roots in Prince George’s County. My father, a Peruvian immigrant and laborer, built a small construction business here, and my mother, who is Puerto Rican, worked in an office and cleaned houses at night and on weekends to make ends meet. Their example shaped my values of hard work, responsibility, and community.
I am engaged, and my family remains central to my life and my commitment to public service. My personal and professional experiences continue to guide my work on behalf of the residents I serve.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Women’s Studies from University of Maryland
Experience: I have over 15 years of experience making local government accessible for working families. I currently serve as Chief of Staff to District 1 County Council Member Tom Dernoga, who has endorsed me to succeed him. In this role, I have helped residents navigate county services, address housing and infrastructure concerns, and advance policies that strengthen communities.
Previously, I served as Chief of Staff to State Delegate, now Speaker, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, and as a Community Liaison to State Senator Jim Rosapepe, representing the overlapping legislative district and gaining a deep understanding of the communities I seek to serve. Before entering government, I worked in the health field as a substance abuse counselor, serving incarcerated individuals, adolescents, and families. I also worked for several years in a law firm supporting attorneys on family law matters, gaining insight into the legal system and the challenges families face. These experiences shaped my commitment to public service and addressing systemic inequities through policy.
Questionnaire
Name: Martin Mitchell
Age: 36
Personal: I am a proud native of Prince George’s County and a Laurel resident. I am raising my twin sons in the same community that shaped me. My passion for giving back started early, from coaching local youth wrestling teams to mentoring students at his alma mater. I was blessed earn several accolades in high school and college wrestling, including earning All-American honors. His dedication to public service led him to work at every level of government, where he gained firsthand experience in shaping policies that impact everyday lives.
Education: I am a proud graduate of Laurel High School and Bowie State University with a degree in Political Science.
Experience: I was elected At-Large to the Laurel City Council in 2021, where I led efforts to protect renters, expand workers’ rights, reduce costs, advocate for our local public schools, and support working families. From pushing for collective bargaining rights for city public workers (DPW) to championing countywide rent stabilization, I consistently fought for fair policies that uplift the community. Beyond policy, I was a hands-on servant leader—hosting free expungement clinics, COVID mobile clinics, opioid awareness pop-ups, and food and hygiene giveaways to ensure residents have access to essential resources. Since leaving the Laurel City Council, I have focused on many of these same issues as policy consultant and a community activist. My track record is one of proven leadership for change.
Questionnaire
Name: Darwin Romero
Age: 49
Personal: My name is Darwin Romero, and I am running for Prince George’s County Council District 1. I am an immigrant from El Salvador, fluent in Spanish, a proud father of two young men, community advocate and ready to work for each resident in our community. I have called Maryland my home for 35 years and a fun fact about me - I love Maryland blue crabs.
Education: I earned dual degrees in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Maryland College Park, equipping me with a strong budgeting and analytical skills.
Experience: I bring a mix of professional experience, public service, and lived perspective to this role. Currently, I work as a construction contract manager, where I oversee projects, budgets, and contractors to ensure work is completed on time and within budget. I have nearly 15 years of experience in the construction industry managing capital projects and coordinating across multiple stakeholders. Earlier in my career, I worked with Montgomery County Public Schools as a bus operator and later as a parent community coordinator, where I helped connect families to critical services and resources. I also spent nearly eight years as a realtor, helping families achieve homeownership and build generational wealth. In public service, I was appointed to the Latin American Action Group under former County Executive Isaiah Leggett, advising on issues affecting Latino and immigrant communities. I also served on the Sister Cities Morazán, El Salvador committee, helping organize fundraisers to provide college scholarships for Latino students locally and abroad. As an immigrant, father, and community advocate, I understand the challenges residents face and am committed to delivering practical, accountable leadership to District 1.
