Political Notes: Add ‘Co-Chair' To Alsobrooks' Titles; Annapolis City Council Hopefuls Face Off

By William J. Ford, Maryland Matters

August 13, 2025

She’s only seven months into the job, but U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md). has been tapped to help lead the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual conference next month in Washington, D.C.

Alsobrooks will join four-term Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) as co-chair of the Sept. 24-28 legislative conference with the theme, “Made for This Moment: Power, Policy, and Progress.” Thousands of elected officials, community leaders and activists are expected to converge on the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for sessions on health, education, economic prosperity and more.

There are a record 62 caucus members in this Congress, representing most of the 67 Black legislators on Capitol Hill. The other five are Republicans who do not belong to the caucus: Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida, Wesley Hunt of Texas, John James of Michigan and Burgess Owens of Utah

Alsobrooks made history in January when she was sworn in with fellow freshman Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), the first time two Black women had been elected to the Senate at the same time.

Neguse, first elected in 2018, has risen in House Democratic leadership ranks, serving as an impeachment manager in 2021 in the second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. He was elected last year as the assistant Democratic leader and in January he was elected ranking member of House Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

“We are in a defining moment for Black America — one where our collective power, civic engagement and policy influence are shaping the future of this nation,” Nicole Austin-Hillery, president and CEO of the foundation, said in a statement. “With leaders like Senator Alsobrooks and Congressman Neguse helping guide this year’s conference, we are poised to deliver one of the most impactful gatherings to date.”

Signature events at the conference include a national town hall, a prayer breakfast and the Phoenix Awards Dinner, which was headlined last year by former Vice President Kamala Harris, then the Democrats’ presidential nominee.

The caucus’s main goal: Amplify voices and issues that most affect the Black community. Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-Ala.), chair of the foundation’s board of directors, called it “a vital opportunity to come together, share ideas, and shape policies that move our communities forward.”

“By gathering leaders, advocates, and innovators from across the nation, we spark conversations and actions that advance equity, celebrate our culture, and strengthen Black leadership for generations to come,” Sewell said.

List of Annapolis City Council hopefuls set — and it’s a long one

The Annapolis Board of Supervisors of Elections has certified 21 city council candidates, and 16 of them showed up at First Baptist Church of Annapolis for a candidate forum Tuesday, a little more than a month before the Sept. 16 primary.

The two-hour forum was hosted by the Caucus of African American Leaders. Candidates in Wards 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 participated in the forum.

Ward 1 Alderman Harry Huntley (D) is seeking reelection but faces challenges from Democrats Ben Bramsen, Ron Gunzburger, Kathleen McDermott and Genevieve Torri. The nominee will face unaffiliated candidate Thomas Kriek in the Nov. 4 general election.

After the candidates' introductory remarks, each was asked about plans to redevelop the City Dock, and what their criteria would be for a proposal to allow certain structures on Dock Street to exceed a height limit by 7 feet. All the candidates said they want to preserve the historic downtown area, with several saying they don’t support “spot zoning.”

Torri said she didn’t like “the culture that we’re hearing tonight, how it’s residents versus businesses, and businesses are bad, and residents may be mad.”

“I don’t think that benefits our city at all,” she said. “We are all a community. We all need to work together, and we need to find the solutions.”

Candidates were asked to raise their hands if they would retain Annapolis Police Chief Edward Jackson, who got a vote of confidence from the caucus last year. About five candidates raised their hands. Gunzburger, who wanted to respond to the question about the chief but wasn’t allowed due to time constraints, quickly said, “I support the men and women of the rank and file.”

All candidates were asked the police chief question, but other questions were more random, ranging from financial literacy programs to affordable housing and efforts to support minority businesses.

Keanuú Smith-Brown gives remarks during an Aug. 12 candidate’s forum. Smith-Brown was one of nine candidates who participated in the forum among those running for the Annapolis City Council. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

Ward 2 Alderwoman Karma O’Neill (D) doesn’t have a primary opponent, but will face Republican Kenneth Vincent in the general election.

The Ward 3 seat is open, after incumbent Rhonda Pindell Charles decision to run for mayor to replace Mayor Gavin Buckley (D) who is term-limited. Democrats Deborah “Debbie” Odum and Keanuú Smith-Brown will square off in the primary, with the winner to face unaffiliated voter Mike Dye in the general election for the Ward 3 seat.

The Ward 4 seat is also open, after Alderman Sheila M. Finlayson’s (D) decision not to seek reelection. The Democratic primary between Janice Elaine Allsup-Johnson and Coren Makell — there is currently no opponent filed in the general election. Makell attended Tuesday’s forum.

In Ward 6, Democrats Diesha Contee and Craig Cussimanio square off in the primary for the chance to face Republican George Gallagher in the race to succeed Alderman DeJuan Gay, who is not running for reelection. Gallagher did not participate in Tuesday’s forum.

One more open seat — Ward 8 Alderman Ross H. Arnett III is not seeking reelection — drew Democrat Frank Thorp ad unaffiliated voter Will Cunha, who will face each other in the general election.

The candidate for Wards 5 and 7 did not attend the forum. Ward 5 Alderman Brooks Schandelmeier will face Republican Jack Papaleonti in the general election, and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Savidge is running unopposed.

Before the forum ended, Carl Snowden, convener of the caucus, announced a mayoral debate will take place at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis. Besides Pindell Charles, Democrat Jared Littmann and Republican Robert O’Shea are scheduled to participate in that event.