What’s the job: The local prosecutor in Baltimore and each of Maryland’s 23 counties. Responsible for the investigation and prosecution of crimes. Provides support services for crime victims and witnesses. Elected to a four-year term.
Democratic
Name: Wanika Fisher
Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.
Name: Tara H. Jackson

Age: 56
Personal: Married, husband Paul; one son, Josiah.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, James Madison University; Juris Doctor, University of Maryland School of Law; master’s degree, leadership development, Phoenix Seminary.
Experience: Prince George’s County state’s attorney; acting county executive; chief administrative officer; deputy chief administrative officer for government operations; deputy county attorney; principal deputy state’s attorney; litigator in private practice; assistant state’s attorney.
Questionnaire
A: As the incumbent State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, I have spent my tenure building the infrastructure, relationships, and prosecutorial judgment this office demands. While others are presenting plans and promises, I am presenting a record. I know the cases, I know the courtrooms, and I know the communities we serve. This office requires someone who can lead on day one, and I already have. From modernizing how we handle violent crime to ensuring accountability and fairness in how justice is applied across our county, I have made decisions that matter and stood behind them. That kind of tested leadership is not something you can replicate from the outside. Prince George’s County deserves a State’s Attorney who doesn’t need time to get up to speed — they deserve one who is already fighting for them. That is what I bring to this race, and that is what I will continue to deliver.
A: Punishment alone is not a strategy. If we process people through the system without addressing what drove the behavior in the first place, trauma, family instability, educational disengagement, unmet mental health needs, we are not solving the problem; we are postponing it. True public safety requires us to think beyond the immediate case and consider the long-term outcome for the individual and the community.
That is why my office takes a deliberate, individualized approach. For first-time offenders and low-level offenses, where underlying needs are clearly driving behavior, diversion, treatment, and restorative pathways are not a sign of leniency; they are smart, evidence-based prosecution. Keeping someone out of the system when the system would only make things worse is the right call, and I am not afraid to make it. But accountability remains essential and non-negotiable. Restorative approaches work best when they include genuine acknowledgment of harm and meaningful efforts to repair it. When we are dealing with violent offenses, repeat serious behavior, or cases where victims have suffered significant harm, a formal prosecutorial response is not only appropriate, it is required. The goal is never punishment for its own sake, and it is never leniency without accountability.
A: We have already created a dashboard on our website that allows everyone to track our efforts in terms of convictions, acquittals and cases we charge along with cases we don’t.
We are also working on updating our internal case management system to help improve our efficiency and communication.
A: I strongly support diversion, restorative justice, and alternatives to formal prosecution because they interrupt the cycle of justice system involvement while still promoting accountability. These approaches should be prioritized for first-time offenders, low-level offenses, and cases where underlying needs, such as trauma, family instability, or educational disengagement, are driving behavior.
However, accountability remains essential. Restorative justice is most effective when it includes acknowledgment of harm and meaningful efforts to repair it. Violent offenses, repeat serious behavior, or cases involving significant harm to victims require a more formal prosecutorial response. My office takes an individualized approach, evaluating the offense, prior history, and family circumstances, to determine the most appropriate path. The goal is to hold people accountable while redirecting them toward productive, law-abiding futures.
A: The presence of a firearm in any offense fundamentally changes the calculus. It signals intent, escalates danger, and increases the likelihood that a situation ends in tragedy. That is why my office applies heightened scrutiny and resources to every case involving illegal firearms, from illegal possession to armed robbery to shootings. We do not treat gun cases as routine, because they are not.
Our approach to gun violence prosecution operates on two levels. The first is accountability for those who use firearms to harm others or threaten our communities. Violent offenders who choose to pick up a gun will face the most serious charges the law supports, pursued with the full weight of this office. There are no shortcuts and no soft landings for those cases. The second is upstream intervention, working with law enforcement to aggressively prosecute illegal gun trafficking and possession before a firearm is ever used to take a life. Getting illegal guns off our streets is prevention, and this office treats it as such. At the same time, prioritizing gun violence does not mean abandoning other serious offenses. Domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and violent crimes of all kinds remain core commitments of this office.
Name: Karen Piper Mitchell

Age: 54
Personal: Married.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, Spanish and economics, Duke University; Juris Doctor, Georgetown University.
Experience: Deputy State’s Attorney, Charles County (2011-Present); Assistant State’s Attorney, Charles County (1999-2011); Law Clerk, Honorable Sherrie L. Krauser, Prince George’s County Circuit Court (1998-1999).
Questionnaire
A: My professional experience includes working closely with the justice system and training law enforcement officers on investigative practices, evidence collection, and engagement with victims and witnesses. That work has given me a strong foundation in how cases are developed and the importance of building thorough, ethical prosecutions from the outset.
In addition, I bring extensive leadership and management experience. I have led teams, worked across complex organizations, and managed initiatives that require coordination, accountability, and results. Running the State’s Attorney’s Office requires more than legal knowledge—it requires the ability to set strategy, manage people, and ensure consistent, high-quality performance across the office. I also bring a deep understanding of the broader factors that impact crime and public safety. Through my work in community engagement, youth development, and mentoring, I have seen how trauma, lack of opportunity, and unmet needs can influence behavior. That perspective informs my commitment to a balanced approach that includes accountability, prevention, and rehabilitation. Finally, I bring judgment, integrity, and a steady approach to decision-making. This role requires thoughtful leadership, the ability to weigh complex factors, and a commitment to doing what is right—even when it is difficult.
A: If elected, my primary focus is straightforward: make Prince George’s County safer by being both tough and smart on crime, while building a State’s Attorney’s Office that operates with transparency, fairness, and a clear commitment to justice.
As a lifelong Prince Georgian, I am deeply connected to this community. I understand the concerns residents have about safety, fairness, and trust in the justice system, and I am committed to leading an office that reflects those values through transparency, consistency, and integrity. I also bring a new perspective, with new ideas and a commitment to the position. I am a prosecutor’s prosecutor. I am not a politician. I want to strengthen the Office of the State’s Attorney and bring a level of organizational excellence that is reflective of this County and its residents.
A: I believe there is a more efficient and strategic use for support staff. Currently, attorneys with the State’s Attorney’s office are spending an excessive amount of time handling administrative duties and tasks. If these tasks were handled by support staff, prosecutors would have more time to develop a strong case and engage with victims and community members. This is the model we have used in Charles County and it has led to a higher level of operational efficiency.
A: My policy is that prosecuting juveniles as adults should be reserved for the most serious and extreme cases—particularly those involving significant violence or a clear, ongoing threat to public safety.
Young people are fundamentally different from adults in terms of development, decision-making, and capacity for change. For the vast majority of cases, the juvenile justice system is the more appropriate venue because it is designed to hold youth accountable while also providing the structure, services, and support needed to redirect behavior. That said, accountability is essential. When a young person commits a serious violent offense, there must be consequences that reflect the harm caused and protect the community. In those limited cases where the severity of the offense and the individual’s history warrant it, transfer to adult court may be appropriate—but it should never be the default. Balancing accountability with rehabilitation means using a case-by-case approach that considers the nature of the offense, the youth’s background, prior system involvement, and the likelihood of successful intervention.
A: First, I will prioritize the prosecution of illegal gun possession and gun-related offenses, particularly involving repeat offenders and individuals who pose a clear risk to public safety. That includes working closely with law enforcement to build strong, evidence-based cases and, where appropriate, partnering with federal authorities to pursue the most serious cases. Second, I will support targeted enforcement strategies that focus on the small number of individuals and networks responsible for a disproportionate share of gun violence. A data-driven approach allows us to concentrate resources where they will have the greatest impact, rather than casting a wide net that strains the system without improving outcomes. Third, prevention must be a central part of the strategy. I will work with community organizations, schools, and local agencies to support violence interruption programs, mentorship initiatives, and youth engagement efforts that help prevent conflicts from escalating into violence. Fourth, I will strengthen coordination across jurisdictions and agencies. Gun violence does not operate in isolation, and an effective response requires collaboration between prosecutors, law enforcement, neighboring jurisdictions, and community partners to share information and respond strategically.











