Campaign Instagram
www.instagram.com/michellejgarcia/
For more than 15 years I have worked in local and state government helping residents navigate services, shape policy, and solve real problems. For the past eight years I have served as Chief of Staff to District 1 Council Member Tom Dernoga, helping manage budgets, address housing and infrastructure issues, and deliver results for our community.
My budget priorities are investing in the foundations that strengthen families and communities. That includes universal pre-K, affordable childcare, strong public schools, and workforce pathways that lead to skilled union jobs. I also support funding community violence intervention, mental health services, and infrastructure improvements. At the same time, we must maintain a balanced budget by responsibly growing our commercial tax base and supporting local businesses. The County budget should reflect our values by prioritizing working families, long-term economic stability, and transparent, and accountable use of public funds.
I support smart land use that prioritizes transit oriented development, reduces sprawl, and protects our environment. I oppose land speculation that leaves transit adjacent parcels vacant while prices rise. I support exploring a Land Value Tax to encourage housing, local businesses, and union jobs while maximizing transit investment and ensuring development benefits our communities.
Education is one of my top priorities, and I focus on addressing root causes rather than temporary fixes. I will advocate for long overdue investment in schools like High Point High to ensure safe, modern learning environments. I support universal pre-K and affordable childcare so children start school ready to learn, and I will fight for fair teacher pay that reflects today’s cost of living.
When residents lack access to preventive care, mental health services, or treatment for chronic conditions, the entire community feels the impact. Expanding access improves health outcomes, reduces reliance on emergency rooms, and strengthens community stability. We should work with local health providers and the State to close coverage gaps responsibly and ensure residents can access essential care.
To ease the tax burden on working families, I will prioritize corporate accountability and targeted relief. I support expanding Homestead Exemptions to protect seniors, veterans, and low income homeowners. We should close corporate loopholes, ensure large developers pay their fair share, review ineffective subsidies, and discourage land speculation so our tax system supports community needs.
The County can encourage job growth by supporting small businesses, investing in sustainable industries, and attracting technology and cybersecurity employers. Economic development should strengthen working families, not displace them. By promoting community centered growth and creating pathways to well paying jobs, we can build long term prosperity while ensuring the benefits of development stay within our communities.
I support expanding affordable housing and ensuring new development includes affordable units and green space. Tools like performance bonds and subsidy clawbacks help ensure commitments are honored. I support rent stabilization and housing preservation. I also support the Laurel Multiservice Center and believe the County must finally build a shelter and strengthen partnerships to prevent homelessness.
My priorities are safety, education, and housing. I will strengthen community safety by investing in prevention, youth programs, and mental health services. I will push to finally rebuild High Point High School so students learn in a safe, modern environment. I will also expand affordable housing and support stable communities for working families.
Campaign Phone
4104937966
Campaign Instagram
martinfordistrict1
I am a proud native of Prince George’s County, a Laurel resident, and a father raising twin sons in the community that shaped me. Elected At-Large to the Laurel City Council in 2021, I have led efforts to reduce housing costs, expand workers’ rights, and support working families. I have championed collective bargaining, rent stabilization, and hands-on community programs like free expungement clinics, wellness fairs, and food and hygiene giveaways. My experience shaping policy and serving residents prepares me to lead with action, accountability, and integrity.
The county budget reflects our values and priorities. I would prioritize investments in public education by building and renovating schools, increasing teacher pay, reducing class sizes, and expanding resources for students and families. I also support funding health and human services, including mental health care, youth programs, reentry services, and initiatives to reduce housing and food costs. Additionally, we must invest in public safety, ensuring adequate staffing, resources, and training, while supporting accessible transportation, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-resilient initiatives that benefit all residents.
Transit-oriented development offers the best opportunity for sustainable economic growth in Prince George’s County. I support mixed-use “live, work, play” communities near transit that connect residents to jobs, retail, and affordable housing while increasing ridership and protecting the environment. I also support cottage home communities and other innovative housing options, while reinvesting in established neighborhoods to encourage smart growth.
I plan to establish a District 1 Parent-Teacher-Administrator Roundtable, which will meet quarterly with public schools to identify needs and action items in collaboration with the Board of Education. I support full funding of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including teacher collaborative time and a local National Board Certified teacher bonus for designated low-performing schools. I will work with PGCPS to reduce class sizes and establish a local tutoring assistance fund for low-income families to improve student achievement.
support strengthening public health by increasing funding for the Health Assures Program, which lowers costs for the uninsured, reduces uncompensated care, and decreases non-emergency ER visits. I also support a county staffing monitoring system to ensure hospitals maintain adequate emergency care staff and state committees to establish safe staffing guidelines. To prevent epidemics, we must counter vaccine misinformation and provide transparent information and affordable access to care, our strongest tools against future outbreaks.
Our budget relies too heavily on residential property taxes, a trend lasting over 30 years. To reduce the burden on homeowners, we must grow other revenue sources by supporting small and minority-owned businesses, expanding signature local industries, and encouraging mixed-use, transit-oriented development that increases economic activity. Diversifying revenue will help maintain essential services while reducing dependence on property taxes, making housing more affordable for all county residents.
support strong efforts to grow small businesses, especially locally owned and operated in Prince George’s County, which circulate dollars locally and generate tax revenue. I will advance land use and economic policies that encourage mixed-use, transit-oriented development to sustainably grow our tax base and fund public services. I also support reinvesting in established communities to improve quality of life and attract infill growth, and I will champion 21st-century industries, partnering with institutions like the University of Maryland-College Park and the Discovery District to create jobs and economic opportunity.
I strongly support inclusionary zoning requiring developments to include units affordable at 50% or less of Median Family Income, with a goal of 15–20% of units at deeply affordable levels. I also support using HUD and state housing funds to build moderate, deeply affordable, and public/social housing in underserved areas, and the County’s “right of first refusal” to let nonprofit housing organizations purchase and redevelop lower-income properties. Additionally, I support expanding access to mental health, substance abuse treatment, and housing vouchers for the unhoused.
My top priorities are: 1) Creating a more affordable quality of life for families by reducing housing costs through inclusionary zoning, rent stabilization, and down payment assistance; expanding Health Assures and local earned income and SNAP supplements; and making free county bus service permanent. 2) Improving public education by fully funding the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, supporting teacher pay bonuses, reducing class sizes, and expanding tutoring for modest-income families. 3) Strengthening public safety with proper resources and training for officers, expanding mental health and substance abuse support, and creating economic opportunities for returning citizens to reduce recidivism.
Campaign Phone
2026429779
My professional and community service experience has prepared me to serve effectively on the County Council. I earned dual degrees in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Maryland, giving me a strong foundation in budgeting, data analysis, and problem solving. For nearly 15 years, I have worked in the construction industry managing complex projects, contracts, and budgets—experience that translates directly to responsible stewardship of public resources. I also served on the Latin American Advisory Group under former Isiah Leggett in Montgomery County, Maryland. In addition, I worked with Montgomery County Public Schools as a bus operator and parent community coordinator, helping families access school resources.
My priority for the county’s budget is to broaden our tax base while protecting residents from increasing financial burdens. For too long, homeowners have carried the majority of the county’s revenue responsibility.
I believe we must attract quality businesses to District 1 and across Prince George’s County. By bringing in businesses that create good-paying jobs and generate commercial tax revenue, we can strengthen the county’s finances without relying on constant increases in property taxes. Strategic economic development will allow us to invest in education, infrastructure, and public safety while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
My priority for land use planning is ensuring that development serves the needs of our community first. Every project should be evaluated based on its long-term benefits to residents, including traffic congestion, access to public transportation, environmental sustainability, and quality of life.
We must pursue smart growth policies that promote responsible development near transportation corridors while protecting residential neighborhoods and green spaces. Addressing climate change and environmental justice means ensuring that all communities have clean air, safe water, and access to green infrastructure.
Education is one of the most important investments we can make in our future. To improve community support for public schools, I will focus on listening to the needs of teachers, parents, students, and school administrators.
Residents must understand that strong schools benefit the entire community. I support expanding diverse educational pathways, including trade and technical education as well as traditional higher education opportunities. We must also ensure accountability within our school system while strengthening partnerships between schools and families through accessible community events and outreach.
To safeguard the county against future public health emergencies, we must strengthen coordination between public health agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Preparedness planning, early warning systems, and public communication are essential to responding effectively to future epidemics.
My public health priorities include expanding access to preventative care, strengthening mental health services, and improving partnerships with healthcare institutions serving our community. Public health is not just about emergency response—it is about ensuring residents have access to the care and information they need to live healthy lives.
Affordable housing is not just a property tax issue—it is also a broader cost-of-living and zoning challenge. Rising property taxes, housing costs, and living expenses are placing increasing pressure on families, seniors, and long-time residents.
I support policies that provide stability for homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes, while also reviewing zoning and development policies that influence housing supply and affordability. A balanced approach that addresses housing supply, costs, and tax burdens is necessary to keep our communities stable and accessible.
County government should actively support economic development and job creation. We must enhance the services provided to small businesses already operating in our county by improving access to resources, technical assistance, and county contracting opportunities.
Additionally, we should create a clear prospectus that highlights the advantages of locating in Prince George’s County—including our proximity to federal agencies, research institutions, and major transportation corridors. By actively recruiting businesses that align with our strengths, we can create jobs and expand economic opportunity for residents.
To increase the availability of affordable housing and address homelessness, the county should partner with nonprofit organizations and community groups that are already doing effective work in this area, including organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.
Public-private partnerships can help expand affordable housing development while leveraging community expertise and resources. We must also support programs that help residents remain in their homes and provide pathways to stable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.
My top three priorities are:
Education: Ensuring every student has access to high-quality education and opportunities for success.
Managing the Cost of Living: Addressing rising housing costs, energy costs, and everyday expenses that are putting pressure on families.
Attracting Quality Businesses: Leveraging the major institutions and transportation assets surrounding District 1 to attract businesses, create jobs, and expand the county’s tax base.
By strengthening our schools, supporting families, and growing our local economy, we can ensure that District 1 continues to be a place where residents can live, work, and thrive.
