2026 Candidate Spotlight: Meet Darwin Romero

LAUREL, MD — Darwin Romero has entered the race for Prince George's County Council District 1. Patch posed questions to each candidate running for office.

Below you will find Romero's responses, verbatim:

Name: Darwin Romero
Age on Election Day: 49
Hometown: Laurel, MD
Political Affiliation: Democrat

Email address: info@darwinromero.com
Campaign website/Facebook page: www.darwinromero.com / www.facebook.com/romero4council

Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.

I have had several experiences that have prepared me to serve in public office. In 2017, I ran for Montgomery County Council At-Large, and in 2019, I ran for the Montgomery County Board of Education. I also ran for President of SEIU Local 500 while I was a member and employee of Montgomery County Public Schools.Beyond campaigns, I have been deeply involved in community service.

I served on the Latin American Advisory Group, where we advised the County Executive on issues affecting the Latino community, and I was a member of the Morazán El Salvador Sister Cities Committee, where we helped provide higher education scholarships to deserving students both locally and abroad.These experiences taught me the importance of listening, coalition-building, and understanding the impact government decisions have on people’s everyday lives. If elected, I will bring that same commitment to transparency, accountability, and community engagement to the County Council.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent?
I believe the biggest challenge facing District 1 residents over the next four years is affordability. Families throughout Laurel, Beltsville, and the surrounding communities are feeling pressure from rising housing costs, increasing property taxes, higher utility bills, grocery prices, and transportation expenses.

Seniors, including residents at communities like Riderwood, are concerned about being able to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they helped build. Working families are struggling to keep up, and young adults are finding it increasingly difficult to afford their first home. Affordability impacts every part of our community. It affects where people live, whether families can stay together, and whether our children can build their futures here. We need leadership focused on practical solutions that reduce financial burdens, protect our residents, and create opportunities for economic stability.

How do you intend to address those issues?

Addressing affordability requires a comprehensive approach.

First, we must broaden our tax base by attracting high-quality businesses that create good jobs and invest back into our communities. District 1 has incredible economic assets, including our proximity to the University of Maryland, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. We should leverage these strengths to attract industries that create opportunities for our residents.

Second, we must hold utility companies accountable and ensure residents have transparency regarding rates, service costs, and future planning.

Third, we must address housing affordability. Families in Laurel, Beltsville, and across District 1 deserve opportunities to rent or purchase homes they can afford. We should encourage responsible development, expand first-time homebuyer assistance, and ensure affordable housing is part of future projects.

Finally, we must improve transportation options so residents can reliably access jobs, schools, and services without excessive costs or long commutes.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I differ because I am not a career politician—I am a neighbor. I live the same realities many District 1 residents experience every day: working hard, managing expenses, supporting family, and trying to build a better future. As an immigrant from El Salvador, I understand what it means to overcome challenges, create opportunities, and fight for your place in the community.

I bring a practical perspective shaped by real experience—not just government experience. I have helped families achieve homeownership, worked with underserved communities through Montgomery County Public Schools, managed complex construction projects, and supported small businesses.

I also understand that decisions about zoning, development, and land use have long-term consequences. Issues like the future of Konterra, transportation growth, flooding concerns, and neighborhood development require careful analysis and transparency. I will be a proactive Councilmember who listens, asks difficult questions, and makes decisions based on what is best for District 1 residents.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?

My entire career has been focused on helping people and solving problems. As a realtor, I helped families throughout the region achieve homeownership and build generational wealth. I understand the importance of housing stability because I have seen firsthand how owning a home can transform a family’s future. When the housing market changed, I transitioned to Montgomery County Public Schools, where I worked as a bus operator and later as a Parent Community Coordinator. I helped connect families with resources and supported underserved communities.

For nearly 15 years, I have worked in construction management overseeing complex building, renovation, and capital improvement projects. This experience has given me a deep understanding of infrastructure, contracts, budgets, timelines, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. District 1 needs leadership that understands both the community and the practical realities of delivering projects. Whether it is improving roads, addressing flooding, rebuilding schools like High Point High School, or making smart development decisions, I bring hands-on experience to the table.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it? If that is you - how do you plan to continue improving upon what you've already accomplished?

Councilmember Tom Dernoga has served District 1 for 16 years, and I respect the commitment he has made to public service. However, District 1 has changed significantly during that time. Laurel, Beltsville, and surrounding communities are facing new challenges involving affordability, transportation, development, aging infrastructure, and economic growth. This moment requires new leadership with a broader vision for the future.

My approach will be proactive, not reactive. I will focus on identifying challenges before they become larger problems. Whether it is responsible development decisions like those involving Konterra, improving transportation safety, addressing flooding concerns, or supporting small businesses along our commercial corridors, residents deserve leadership that plans ahead. I will be present in the community, listening directly to residents and making decisions based on their priorities.

How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made?

Our schools have dedicated teachers and staff, but there is still work to do. In District 1, families have raised concerns about overcrowding, aging facilities, and ensuring students have access to the resources they need to succeed. We must continue advocating for investments in our schools, including addressing the future needs of facilities like High Point High School. Students should walk into classrooms where they feel supported, challenged, and inspired.

That means providing teachers with the tools they need, strengthening math and literacy programs, expanding tutoring opportunities, and increasing career and technical education pathways. We must also expand partnerships with local employers, the University of Maryland, and other institutions to create internships and career opportunities for students. I believe education is not just about preparing students for graduation—it is about preparing them for life.

How do you feel about crime in your area and what steps can be taken to reduce it?

Public safety is a fundamental responsibility of government. Residents and businesses deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces. As Councilmember, I will support our law enforcement officers and first responders by ensuring they have the resources, training, and technology needed to effectively prevent and respond to crime. However, public safety is not only about enforcement—it is also about prevention.

We must invest in our young people by providing mentorship, after-school programs, job training, and opportunities that help them build successful futures. Strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve are essential. Trust, communication, and accountability create safer neighborhoods.

My approach will be balanced: supporting those who protect us while addressing the underlying challenges that contribute to crime. A safer community is one where residents, businesses, schools, and public safety officials work together.

What do you think about the economic climate and business sector in your community, and what initiatives could propel it forward?

District 1 has tremendous economic potential, but we must be intentional about how we grow. We have seen challenges across our community, including vacant commercial spaces, restaurants closing, and changes in retail patterns along areas like Route 1 and Laurel.

However, these challenges also present opportunities. We need to attract businesses that provide the services our residents need, create quality jobs, and invest back into the community.

Our location gives us a competitive advantage. With access to I-95, I-295, the MARC Camden Line, the University of Maryland, NASA Goddard, and USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, District 1 is positioned for innovation and economic growth. At the same time, we must support existing small businesses through training, technical assistance, marketing support, and access to county resources. Economic development should not just benefit corporations—it should create opportunities for the residents who call District 1 home.

How do you feel about transportation options in the area and what, if anything, should be improved upon?

Transportation remains one of the biggest quality-of-life issues facing District 1. Residents throughout Laurel, Beltsville, and surrounding neighborhoods regularly experience traffic congestion, unsafe intersections, road maintenance issues, and limited transportation options. We must address the basics: fixing potholes, improving road conditions, maintaining clear lane markings, upgrading signals, and creating safer pedestrian crossings. But we also need a long-term vision.

We need better bus reliability, improved connections to Metro and the MARC Camden Line, transportation hubs, pedestrian trails, bike infrastructure, and safer routes for residents of all ages. Future development must be connected to transportation planning. We cannot continue approving growth without ensuring our roads and transit systems can support it. Transportation is about more than moving vehicles—it is about connecting residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and opportunities.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

This election represents an important moment for District 1. For the first time in many years, residents have the opportunity to choose new leadership and decide the future direction of our community. I am running because I believe District 1 deserves leadership that listens, shows up, and puts residents first. I am not beholden to political insiders or special interests. I do not owe favors to anyone in office.

My decisions will be guided by one question: What is best for the people of District 1?

I bring practical experience from housing, education, construction, and small business. I understand how policies affect people’s everyday lives, and I will consider both the immediate impact and the long-term consequences of every decision. I will be a proactive, transparent, and accessible Councilmember who remains connected to the community. I believe in better schools for our children, protecting affordability for families and seniors, attracting high-quality businesses that create opportunities, and making responsible decisions about development.

I am also clear about where I stand: I oppose unchecked data center development, support thoughtful economic growth, and believe our community deserves a future built around opportunity, accountability, and responsible leadership.If you want a Councilmember who will listen, work hard, and fight for District 1, I ask for your support and vote for Darwin Romero — Sound Leadership You Can Count On.