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Prince George’s County Executive-elect Rushern Baker knew his position was sewn up during the primary election, however that didn’t keep the general election from being busy for him. Baker spent the day on a Get Out To Vote Tour capped off by attending Gov. Martin O’Malley’s victory celebration in Baltimore.
When all was said and done, unlike some other states, Maryland voters chose to re-elect many incumbent Democrats and Baker said a lot of that had to do with Prince George’s County residents’ turnout at the polls.
“I want to thank all Prince George’s County residents who voted today. I am honored to be elected as the 7th Prince George’s County executive,” Baker said. “Additionally, I want to congratulate Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown, Attorney General Gansler, Comptroller Franchot, Senator Mikulski, and Representatives Hoyer, Edwards, and Van Hollen on their re-election victories. I am proud of the pivotal role Prince George’s County played to ensure these Democratic victories.
“I also want to congratulate the newly elected and re-elected Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, state legislators, county council members, and school board members,” he continued.
During the day, Baker spent time in Springdale, Glenarden, Upper Marlboro, Largo, Suitland, Forestville and Seat Pleasant. That groundwork was praised later in the evening at O’Malley’s victory celebration when the governor said “I want to thank our new county executive in Prince George’s County Rushern Baker.”
However, not everything went as planned during the day. In his travels, Baker heard about a robocall going out to voters giving the implication that the election had been won for Gov. O’Malley and there was no reason for anyone else to vote.
“I’m calling to let everyone know that Governor O’Malley and President Obama have been successful,” the woman’s voice on the call said. “Our goals have been met. The polls were correct and we took it back. We’re ok. Relax, everything is fine. The only thing left is to watch on TV tonight. Congratulations and thank you.”
Baker, in turn, sent out a press release denouncing the call as “un-American.”
“I am shocked by the news of a robocall targeting residents of Prince George’s County intended to dissuade voting earlier this evening,” Baker said in a statement. “This isn’t dirty politics, it’s un-American. I hope those behind this call are investigated and exposed for their attempt to suppress everyone’s right to cast a ballot.”
Despite the call, Baker was in attendance at O’Malley/Brown and Mikulski’s victory celebration at the American Visionary Art Museum overlooking the Inner Harbor in Baltimore.
Before Brown’s victory speech, Baker took the stage flanked by many O’Malley-Brown supporters including Gansler and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Now that election and celebratory festivities are out of the way, Baker will go back to working with his transition team. He will have many new faces to work with, but is excited about getting started. “I look forward to working with all these talented local, state and federal officials to progress Prince George’s from a good to a great county,” he said.
