If Maryland State Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-26), as many political insiders expect, announces his candidacy for Prince George’s County Executive and goes on to win, it will culminate 20 years of public service and one of the most amazing rises in state politics in recent memory.
Md. Sen. C Anthony Muse may run for Prince George’s County Executive in 2018. (Courtesy photo)
Muse, expected to make a formal announcement of his plans later this month preceded by an old-fashioned bus tour to hear from county residents, has been one of the most beloved public figures in Southern Maryland politics. Like him or not, he has carved out a reputation as being independent and one who will take on the party bosses and politically unsafe positions for the sake of constituents. As a result, he has become one of the most influential lawmakers in Annapolis, Md.
It is an unlikely position for a man who grew up in Baltimore, abandoned by his parents and raised by a minister whose family broke up when he was 12. Muse entered the foster care system, but went on to graduate from high school and garner a doctorate degree. “I have been in 11 foster homes and kicked out of three school systems,” he likes to tell audiences during speaking engagements. “All of my life has been an uphill journey. We can turn this moment into a movement.”
A movement is what it’s going to take for Muse to beat back an expected challenge from popular Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks and former Congresswoman Donna Edwards. There are growing rumors that Alsobrooks may be running for lieutenant governor and Edwards may not run at all. If that holds true, Muse would be a virtual shoo-in to win the county executive race with little or no competition. People close to Muse said he expects to win regardless. Rushern Baker is the current County Executive and is expected to announce his candidacy for Maryland governor.
Muse has been able to hold onto his Senate seat for three terms and work across party lines to get bills passed for the voters he represents. He believes he is ready to lead the county one day.
“After 20 years of service in the state of Maryland with 16 of those years in the legislative branch of government, working with and on behalf of the people of Prince George’s County, and having drafted bills on every issue from education, crime, transportation, public safety, housing, economic development, there is no more seasoned or better prepared to lead this county than I am,” he told the AFRO. “I can say with confidence, that I fully understand and appreciate the breadth and depth of the issues as they relate to Prince George’s County and now am ready to move to make sure Prince George’s County moves in a direction where the residents of the county are the priority.”
Muse said he is not above working with Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, to move bills through. In contrast, he remains loyal to the Democratic Party despite once having his microphone turned off in the middle of a speech when he decided to run against Ben Cardin for U.S. Senate.
Muse, who also pastors at the Ark of Safety Church in Upper Marlboro, Md. has distinguished himself by sponsoring more than 40 pieces of legislation, but more than that, he stood up during the last legislative session in support of residents.
For instance, he was instrumental in getting the power turned back on at the Lynnhill Condominiums in Temple Hills, Md. when rent-paying residents were forced to leave because they had no utilities. He also called for the resignation of School Superintendent William Maxwell following a litany of mishaps that included sexual abuse and the loss of funds from Head Start. Maxwell was reappointed by Baker earlier this year. He opposed Question D which eventually added two at-large council seats, saying it was a mask to get around term limits and provide real estate developers with undue influence on county legislation.
He also supported minority ownership of medical marijuana facilities and opposed bail reform on the premise that judges needed more options before making decisions. For county residents, Muse took Wells Fargo to task after more than 15,391 bank accounts were created fraudulently and several predatory housing loans negatively impacted county residents.
Ellis Industries President Lisa Ellis has always known Muse as a fighter. “He has always stood up for the voiceless whether it is popular or unpopular. He is one of those rare politicians who can cross party lines to get the job done,” she said.
