Cunningham Looks to Election Day Victory

Making economic development, home foreclosure and education her top platforms, Mayoral candidate Valerie Cunningham is hoping victory is in her future in her mayoral bid in Laurel's general election Tuesday.

The Birmingham, AL, native has lived in the Laurel area for the last 16 years. Cunningham, 48, a divorced mother of an adult son, retired from the U.S. Probation Office in 2009. She said she spent the last few years engaging the community as a member of the Laurel Ethics Commission.

Last year, she made a run for the Prince George’s County Council seat for Dist. 1, eventually losing to Councilwoman Mary A. Lehman.

But Cunningham faces steep competition from and former Laurel Councilman . The election was looking to be a two-person race until Cunningham was after the deadline due to an error made at the Prince George’s Board of Election.

Still, Cunningham said she is aware of her setbacks and has been pushing harder.

“You have to continue to stay out there and stay visible and show people that you care about them,” she said. “Sometimes we forget what being a public servant is about.”

Cunningham said she can relate to the struggles residents and homeowners are facing in the current economic climate. Earlier this month, she released a statement saying she was in the Villages at Wellington neighborhood. She’s made foreclosure prevention a platform issue.

“Today, families, corporations, cities, states and even countries are facing severe economic difficulties,” she said.  “There is no shame or guilt in once being down and getting back up.”

Cunningham has focused in her campaign on ways to improve the city.

“Laurel is a great place to live. This economy needs new leadership that will work tirelessly and without intermission to bring jobs to our city,” she said. “My policy would be to find the best people to move Laurel forward.”

Cunningham also wants to do more to engage public schools in Laurel. If elected, she said she would have more open dialogue with the Prince George’s County Public Schools System and with the Laurel area’s Board of Education representative.

“You don’t have to have a child [in the school system] but care enough about our youth to put in some [time],” she said.

The time Cunningham has put into the community has not gone unnoticed, according to her supporters.

“I think she’s qualified. I see how had she’s worked in the community,” said James Boone, a neighbor of Cunningham who is supporting her election. “She never gives up. I consider her to be very honest.”

Stick with Laurel Patch for our exclusive election 2011 coverage, including a live interview with the winner of the mayor’s race Tuesday, Nov. 1.