By James Wright, Special to the AFRO, jwright@afro.com

Shawn Maldon, a businessman, was elected as the mayor of Capitol Heights on May 7. Maldon defeated former Capitol Heights mayor Darrell Miller and Town Council member Linda Monroe for the position.

“My election shows that the residents of the town want change and are excited about that process and growth,” Maldon told the AFRO. “I will work for the citizens of Capitol Heights and be their voice.”

Shawn Maldon is an entrepreneur in Capitol Heights. (Courtesy Photo)

Maldon received 180 votes to Miller’s 112 and Monroe’s 58.

Capitol Heights is one of the oldest established towns in Prince George’s County. It borders the District of Columbia on Eastern Avenue., S.E.

Capitol Heights is 91 percent Black, 3.3 percent White and 5.4 percent Latino, according to the 2010 census. While it faces challenges such as public safety and lagging economic development that are similar to other inner-Beltway municipalities, its Metro Station is on county leaders’ radar in terms of a mixed retail and residential project that is primed to be upscale.

Maldon had the backing of outgoing Capitol Heights Mayor Marnitta King, who is a candidate for Maryland State Delegate for the 24th Legislative District in the June 26 primary. Miller had the support of Maryland State Delegate Darryl Barnes (D-District 25) who is the new chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, as well as Prince George’s County Council District 7 candidate Juan Stewart.

Maldon will take over the reins of Capitol Heights’ government with the town’s first all-female council. Serving with him will be Faith Ford, Caroline Brown, Elaine Williams, Juanita Cason, Latonya Chew and Rhonda Akers.

Maldon and the new council will take their oath of office on May 14 at the Gateway Village with the ceremony starting at 7 p.m. Maldon and the council will serve four-year terms.

While the nearby municipality of Fairmount Heights didn’t hold a mayoral election, it did elect new members of its council and approved an important referendum.

Fairmount Heights voters re-elected Jacquelyn Wood-Dodson to the council and put in Jackie Morgan and Stella Hargrove. The voters also approved a referendum 87-42 that would extend the terms of the council and the mayor from two to four year terms.