Record Number of Candidates Apply for Bowie Council Vacancy

A new At-Large Councilmember will be chosen for the Bowie Council among the record high number of applicants.

One of the 36 candidates will serve on the Council until the next election on Nov. 3.

The number of applicants went from five on Dec. 17 to the final 36 by the Dec. 31 deadline. All of the considered Councilmembers fulfilled the three requirements of being at least 18 years of age, residing in Bowie for at least one year, and being a qualified voter in Bowie.

The mid-term vacancy opened up in early December because the At-Large Councilmember Todd Turner accepted a position on the Prince George’s County Council.

Bowie has not had a Council vacancy since January 2011 when 23 candidates applied to fulfill the remainder of Geraldine Valentino-Smith’s term as he was elected to the Maryland General Assembly.

The Council consists of the mayor, two Councilmembers elected at-large, and four Councilmembers elected by their districts.

The Council will interview each of the 36 candidates during public meetings at City Hall on Jan. 10 and 12. The applicants are randomly assigned a 15 minute timeslot to make a statement and answer questions from the Councilmembers who will choose the new At-Large Councilmember.

For the full list of candidates visit The City of Bowie.

• For more updates and breaking news in Bowie, click here.

Image via Shutterstock

Read more:

Bowie Searches for New At-Large Councilmember

Most Memorable Bowie Stories From 2014

Police Release Name of Cab Driver Killed