By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay (D) will fill the vacant at-large seat left by former Councilmember Calvin Hawkins. She was appointed to the position by the council on Dec. 29, 2025, leaving a vacant seat in District 6.
Under county code, when a vacancy occurs during the final year of a term, a majority of the remaining council members appoint a suitable candidate to fill the seat.
The council met on the morning of Dec. 29 for a virtual special meeting to hear from 38 applicants for the position and make its official decision on who would serve the remainder of Hawkins’ term, which expires Dec. 5, 2026. The council emphasized that this selection is temporary and the permanent holder of the at-large seat will be chosen through the 2026 general election on Nov. 3.
“I’ve already been doing the service to the community and now I’m just taking it to the next level and working on countywide issues,” said Blegay. “I’ve done work at large with the food as medicine bill, and with the homeowner’s association (HOAs) legislation to provide a pathway for HOAs to have a hearing process at the county level.”
Hawkins vacated the at-large seat on Dec. 22, 2025, transitioning to a new position in the county executive’s office as assistant deputy chief administrative officer for economic development.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the residents of Prince George’s County for the trust and support you’ve shown me throughout my tenure on the Council,” Hawkins said in a statement on Dec. 19. “As I embark on this new chapter, my commitment to the growth and success of the county is unwavering, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with dedicated colleagues and engaged citizens to elevate Prince George’s County to new heights.”
Hawkins served on the council for seven years before resigning and has worked for three former Prince George’s County executives during more than 30 years of public service.
The council said there will be further announcements regarding the process to fill the now-vacant District 6 seat. Blegay said she has someone in mind as a recommendation for that position but declined to disclose the individual’s name at this time.