Johnson Seeking 2nd Term As Executive

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) greets supporters at Camelot restaurant in Upper Marlboro after announcing his candidacy. (By Linda Davidson -- The Washington Post)

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) officially launched his campaign for a second term at a lively event last night, surrounded by his family and hundreds of cheering supporters.

At the event, in the ornate banquet hall of Camelot of Upper Marlboro, he entered his fourth countywide race in 12 years. Johnson, 57, served eight years as the county state's attorney before winning the county executive's seat four years ago.

The energetic crowd cheered, "Four more years," and before Johnson took the stage shortly after 8 p.m., the campaign played a video testimonial in which county residents and business leaders praised him.

Throughout his speech, Johnson said repeatedly, "We're not done yet." In the next four years, he said, he would focus on children, attacking the root social problems that have led many to prefer the streets over the classroom. "We're going to save our next generation of young people, and we will do it in Prince George's," he said.

Johnson also said last night that he would actively support Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martin O'Malley.

Last night's announcement was largely symbolic. Johnson has long acknowledged that he would seek a second four-year term. But the event served as an opportunity for his friends, family and supporters to unite for an official campaign launch amid pageantry and celebration.

Johnson enters the race facing one Democratic primary opponent, former state delegate Rushern L. Baker III. Baker, considered an underdog by most political observers in the county, lost to Johnson in 2002, ending fourth among five candidates. In the overwhelmingly Democratic county, the primary generally determines who will be the next county executive. The primary is Sept. 12.

Johnson was joined at last night's event by dozens of current and former elected officials and candidates, including Major F. Riddick Jr., who opposed Johnson in the 2002 Democratic primary. Riddick said he thinks Johnson has run a fiscally responsible administration and praised his support of mentoring programs for children. "When you decide you're going to step up and support something like that, you have my support," Riddick said in an interview.

Baker has been trying to build support for a second run since last year. He formally announced his plans to challenge Johnson in January, and his campaign has been in full swing since then.

Johnson has barely acknowledged Baker. In a show of confidence this year, he told insiders that he did not plan to campaign much for the primary. He has yet to set up a campaign Web site or headquarters or to name a campaign spokesman.

Johnson counts among his major accomplishments the finalization of a deal between the county and developer Milton V. Peterson to begin construction of National Harbor, a $2 billion waterfront development in Oxon Hill, and the agreement between the county and state to save the financially struggling Prince George's Hospital Center.

Johnson also boasts of fully funding the Board of Education's budget request in his fiscal 2007 budget and solidifying the county's financial standing; its bond rating was recently upgraded to the highest level in county history.

But Johnson's administration has not escaped controversy and scandal. Last year, a state grand jury indicted two high-level managers in a bribery scheme involving the awarding of a $1 million county contract. One indicted official pleaded guilty, and the other is awaiting trial.

Also, the state prosecutor's office continues to investigate the administration. Meanwhile, the county continues to struggle with crime and low-performing schools.

Despite the low public profile, Johnson -- who lives in Mitchellville with his wife, Leslie, and has three grown children -- has also focused on filling his campaign coffers. Candidates have not had to file campaign reports since January. At that time, Johnson had nearly $1 million in the bank, compared with Baker's $75,000. The next reports will be made public in mid-August.

Shailender K. Gupta, Johnson's campaign treasurer, said Johnson has held several fundraisers since the last filing that have brought in $5,000 to $25,000 each. "His opponent needs to just drop out," Gupta said, citing Baker's disadvantage.

Baker said in an interview yesterday that his campaign has had several major fundraisers and raised nearly $500,000 since the January filing. "It's been going well," Baker said. "We're getting folks who are finally coming on board. . . . We've been able to get some people to give some money, which is always difficult."