By Ovetta Wiggins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 5, 2006

Why is former delegate Rushern L. Baker III , who came in fourth in a five-man race for County Executive Jack B. Johnson 's seat in 2002, making another run for county executive this year?

He's not as well known as Johnson. Johnson has held a countywide office for 12 years. Baker has not served in an elected office in four years.

He doesn't have as much money as Johnson. The county executive had more than $667,000 on hand, according to the most recent campaign reports filed. Baker, on the other hand, had a debt of $103,000 but now says his campaign is no longer operating in the red.

Baker said he realizes that there are strikes against him and that a few people might think he's a little crazy.

Still, he said, he's ready for what many are describing as an uphill battle.

"I'm fed up," he said, explaining his decision. "I'm absolutely fed up with the way this county is not being run."

A spokesman for Johnson did not respond to a phone call seeking comment.

Baker made his official announcement Monday in Oxon Hill, an area in southern Prince George's County where he did not receive large support in 2002. He later had lunch with a handful of residents in Langley Park, another area in which Baker had few supporters four years ago.

"I realize that it is going to be tough," said Baker, a former chairman of the Prince George's House delegation who currently works as director of the Community Teachers Institute, a think tank in the District. "I realize that this has to be a grass-roots movement. . . . But I also realize that there are people out there who are as sick and tired as I am."

His mission over the next nine months, he said, is to let voters know that they have a choice.

"A lot of people don't know who I am," he said. "I'm letting them meet me and letting them see that there is an alternative."

It looks as though Johnson won't be the only one in full campaign mode in the coming months.

More and more staff members appear ready to seek elected office.

Aisha Braveboy , who currently works in the Office of Central Services, is interested in the seat being vacated by Del. Anthony Brown (D-Prince George's).

Keith Washington , Johnson's deputy director of homeland security, has been making the rounds in an attempt to replace County Council member Marilynn M. Bland (D-Clinton).

Derrick L. Coley , an assistant to chief of staff Michael Herman , has indicated that he plans to run for council member Thomas R. Hendershot 's (D-New Carrollton) seat. Hendershot can not run for reelection because of term limits. Coley and Ken Laureys , deputy director of community relations, would challenge each other.

And Adrion Howell , the executive's liaison to the County Council, is considering a run against council member David Harrington (D-Cheverly).

"I haven't ruled it out," Howell said.