Braveboy wins first full term with $151 million deficit looming
The Prince George’s County executive defeated a write-in candidate in Tuesday’s election, taking office as the local government faces a major budget shortfall and pending court rulings.
By Aiko Soto ·
Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy won her first four-year term on Tuesday. The Associated Press called the race, confirming her landslide victory over write-in candidate Tonya Sweat. This marks the first time she has secured a full term in the position.
Braveboy previously served as the county’s state’s attorney. She took the executive office in 2025 during a special election to finish the term of Angela Alsobrooks, who left for the U.S. Senate. She won both the primary and general elections with ease.
The county faces a projected $151 million deficit in the next fiscal year. This gap forces the new administration to address mandated increases in school spending and employee compensation. Statewide budget shortfalls also threaten to raise costs for local governments, while federal layoffs and economic slowdowns continue to slow revenue growth.
Leadership will likely need to choose between deep spending cuts and local tax hikes. The county is also preparing for major infrastructure changes. The Sphere entertainment venue will open at National Harbor, a project Braveboy helped advance through mediation. Plans are underway for a large development at the Six Flags America site in Bowie and a replacement for Northwest Stadium in Landover after the Commanders leave.
The FBI is expected to move its headquarters to the county, though that timeline likely slips past the 2028 election cycle. Beyond budget issues, Braveboy must manage scrutiny over county council funding for nonprofits. Her office has requested an investigation into payments to Community on the Frontline and its fiscal sponsor, the Edward Charles Foundation.
A Circuit Court judge will determine if county officials broke the law by transferring $39 million from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to county funds. The county and the commission are scheduled to meet in court on November 16 unless they reach a settlement.
The new term begins with a tight fiscal schedule and active legal battles. The county must balance large capital projects against immediate budget shortfalls while navigating state and federal financial pressures.
