Candidate Profile: Sherman Hardy Running For County Executive

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Candidates in the Democratic and Republican parties will be competing on Tuesday in their respective primaries to see who will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Patch has asked each of the candidates running in select races to fill out a questionnaire, sharing facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent their party in November.

Let's start with your name.

Sherman Hardy

What email should be used to contact your campaign?

sherman@hardy4pg.com

Does your campaign have a website?

https://www.hardy4pg.com

What city or town do you live in?
Clinton

What office are you seeking?
County Executive

What is your party affiliation?
Democrat

Please share with us with your education.
Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management

What is your occupation?
Acquisition Analyst

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.
N/A

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

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
No

How old will you be as of Election Day?
37

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this particular office because of the duties assigned to this position. First, the County Executive provides a balanced budget to the Council for approval, we need an Executive whose budget reflects the communities needs. Next, it is the Executives duty to provide exceptional constituent services through its many departments such as housing, public safety, health department, permitting & inspections, etc. I wish to make government work for our people. I'm running to give voice to the unheard and visibility for the unseen in this county. I'm running to make sure that Prince George's thrives in the future, that we're prepared for an ever-changing environment and economy. I'm running to provide opportunities for our graduates to be able to live, work and play here in the county so we can stop paying for the surrounding areas social services and make it so we can do that right here while aging in place.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

My opponent, Angela Alsobrooks who basically shows up only for photo opportunities and press conferences but is missing in action when the real work is happening. We face lack of leadership, communication, innovation, originality, accountability and government oversight. Many of the complications within our county education system was brought on by my opponent not fulfilling her campaign promises. Fumbling covid was due to inexperience handling emergency situations. Not acting soon enough on police reform or not going with all the recommendations from the police accountability board (and subsequently weakening the same) was cowardice. At every turn of events the present leadership has failed its citizens, it poses larger questions as it pertains to competency. It isn't enough to just get by, we need a strategic & creative leader and this is why I decided to run. To do something about it.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The difference between myself and my opponent is that I don't talk about things I make them happen and I believe my integrity is much more intact. Another difference between myself and my opponent is that I'm much more responsive and actually shows up for the community when the cameras are off. I've been a lifelong public servant and I continue serving this day.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?
My opponent promised everyone that she would return the board to all elected, reduce crime, take politics out of school, bring back two-day trash pick-up, build up our commercial footprint and to date I await for those things to happen. Many of the accomplishments touted by my opponent is the hard work of others such as building more schools and the hospitals. The community crime conversation with the chief was my idea and to date there hasn't been an actual conversation. The majority of my opponents departments are understaffed and dysfunctionally working. We remember the covid when our residents weren't able to get tested or a vaccine but non-residents did because we couldn't handle a website. There is still no accountability for the Emergency Rental Assistance funds, many have been waited far too long.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I intend on addressing a multitude of issues when elected County Executive. First I want our county residents to feel safe and that includes a more modern approach to public safety. Also, I plan on piloting a program to switch our transportation system into ride-sharing, using the same technology such as uber/lyft to assist our constituents with fare-free access around the county. I plan on implementing my strategy to protect the environment and reverse the injustices through reaching net-negative. My goal is to make government work for the people and that's by creating an office of inspector general and department of consumer and worker protection. I intend on bringing innovation and making Prince George's the first Smart County. Building more Career and Technical Education schools for school-age and adults and so much more.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am an American Veteran having served our country and protecting the right to hold free and fair elections, speech and so many of our remaining rights and liberties. I am an Emergency Manager, certified to handle advanced large scale man-made and/or natural disasters. I have managed large budgets, manpower and have performed at the strategic level of many agencies. I have been the voice of change in this county; because of the work I've done my opponent established the police reform task-force. During Covid I was able to get the governor to declare the real estate industry as essential and to allow remote notary which helped industries statewide. I've also acted as the health department and tested our waterways for contamination/poison and thereafter the state issued it's first fish consumption advisory for Prince George's and now the county is suing 3M and DuPont. I make this place better.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Whatever you do in life, be the best at it!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Hardy has a heart for Prince George's and my intentions are pure. Although our county motto is Semper Eadem or Ever the Same; we should expect better, we deserve better, we should demand better. Elect Hardy4PG. I appreciate you.