Prince George's County Council At Large Seat 2024: Meet Michael Riker

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A special election to fill a vacant at-large position on the County Council will be held at the same time as the presidential election this fall, according to the Prince George's County Board of Elections. The candidates running for this open seat are Jolene Ivey and Michael Riker.

Patch invited each candidate running for a seat to complete a questionnaire about their campaign priorities, their views and themselves. Below you'll find the unedited, verbatim responses from Riker, candidate for the at-large position on the County Council.

Early voting runs from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 5. More information about voting locations, registration, mail-in ballots and dropbox ballots is posted here.

What is your name? Michael Riker

What position are you running for? Prince George's County Council At Large

What ways can people contact you with questions? MICHAELRIKE@YAHOO.COM

Campaign website? WWW.RIKER4PG.COM

Age as of election day? 61

Place of residence? Cheltenham

Family members? 1

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education? B.S. Criminal Justice Management

Occupation? Retired Police Detective

Previously held elected or appointed political positions? None

Why are you running for office? I listen to the people and I have seen the issues that concern people.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is safety, and this is what I intend to do about it: More funding for public safety.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I'm not a politician. I'm a common sense man. The other candidate is a career politician.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? Failed to listen to people - it's people, not politics.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I've listen to the public for over 25 years and I think outside the box.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Know what you want and do it.