By Hamil R. Harris, Special to the AFRO

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks is accustomed to holding press conferences to announce who is being convicted or sentenced for engaging in criminal activities.

But Alsobrooks, who is running for County Executive, recently held a press conference to condemn campaign literature being distributed by supporters of fellow candidate, and former Congresswoman Donna Edwards, because she says it crosses the lines of political decency.

Angela Alsobrooks (top) and Donna Edwards are both running for County Executive. (Courtesy Photos)

“They are calling me a criminal . . . when I’m the chief law enforcement officer in the county,”  Alsobrooks said during a news conference. “I am deeply offended. It is unfair, irresponsible and unethical.”

Edwards has declined to talk about the ads in the name of staying on message but union leaders who support her are not backing down because they say for too long county officials have listened more to developers instead of working class people.

“If you look at the campaign finance reports it shows who is supporting Alsobrooks,” said Theresa Dudley, President of the Prince George’s County Educators Association. “The developer fees are going to the general fund in the county and not to the building of more schools. You can’t just build housing and not invest in schools. That is short sighted.”

One of the adds,  paid for by a group called “We are Prince George’s,”  shows a colorful photo of Edwards that highlights her successes but it  shows  a dark image of  Alsobrooks stating that she  took $300,000 from developers and that she lacked experience when it came to “complicated policy decisions.” According to the Washington Post, Alsobrooks has accepted campaign donations from developers while Edwards has said she will not take their money.

Alsobrooks and Baker have been champions of many business communities while gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous and Edwards have been champions of some business and labor leaders.

While Edwards has support from labor groups, Alsobrooks has the support of local union leaders like Cynthia Collins of Local 400 of the Service Employees International Union.

The other candidates running for County Executive are State Senator C. Anthony Muse, former Obama White House aide Paul Monteiro and other candidates that include Samuel W. Bogley III, Lewis S. Johnson, Billy Bridges, Michael E. Kennedy and Tommie Thompson.