Gen-Z Candidate Geonta Simmons Discusses 1st District Race

ANNE ARUNDEL CO., MD — Ahead of the primary elections in June, Patch has invited candidates running to represent the region on the Anne Arundel County Council to complete a questionnaire touching on a variety of key issues.

Candidate responses will be published verbatim in the run-up to the primaries on Tuesday, June 23.

Related: Who's Running For Annapolis In 2026 Primary

Questionnaire responses for Geonta L. Simmons, who is running to represent the county's 1st District, can be found below:

Name: Geonta L. Simmons

Age: 25

Hometown: Brooklyn Park, Maryland

Political Affiliation: Democrat

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 currently serve on the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee for District 12B (2023–present). Through this role, I have gained firsthand experience in local political organizing, community outreach, and collaborative decision-making. This experience has strengthened my understanding of the importance of unity, coalition-building, and community advocacy.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?

I believe the single most important issue facing voters in District 1 is housing affordability. Rising housing costs are making it increasingly difficult for working families, young people, and seniors to remain in the communities they call home.

I intend to address this by supporting responsible zoning reform that increases housing supply in targeted areas.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I believe I differ from the other candidates in this race through both generational perspective and lived experience. As the only Gen-Z candidate in this race, I bring a viewpoint shaped by growing up during major economic and social challenges, including the 2008 financial crisis, rising student debt, concerns around gun violence in schools, and a housing market that has become increasingly out of reach for many in my generation.

These experiences have shaped my understanding of the urgency behind issues like housing affordability, economic opportunity, and government responsiveness. I also bring a perspective that is closely connected to working families who feel the current system is not delivering on the promise of economic stability.

If elected, I would focus on translating that perspective into policy solutions, particularly around housing, workforce development, and ensuring county government is more responsive and forward looking in addressing long-term challenges.

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

In my current role as a Judiciary Clerk at the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, I have spent the past three years assisting families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, including cases involving domestic violence, divorce, and child custody matters.

I plan to bring that same approach to public office by being accessible, responsive, and grounded in the real concerns of constituents. This experience has reinforced the importance of listening first, which will help ensure that my policy decisions remain connected to the needs of the community I serve.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current officeholder, and how will you improve on it?

I believe Councilman Pete Smith has provided steady and consistent representation for District 1 during his time in office. If elected, I would build on that foundation by being more directly engaged and accessible to constituents. This would include holding regular office hours, hosting quarterly town halls, and increasing opportunities for residents to share feedback on key issues affecting their communities.

How do you believe Anne Arundel County should address data centers?

Anne Arundel County should approach data centers with caution, balance, and strong oversight. If we move forward with data center projects, they must be held to the same high environmental and community standards as any major industrial development, including strict pollution controls, energy efficiency requirements, water usage protections, and careful zoning review. At the same time, we should recognize the potential benefits data centers can bring, including job creation, economic growth, and expanded digital infrastructure.

Do you believe there should be a data center moratorium or a temporary pause? Explain.

Yes, I support a temporary pause on new data center development until Anne Arundel County can complete a full review of the potential impacts on utility rates, water consumption, land use, and environmental protections. Data centers are major infrastructure projects, and we need to ensure we fully understand how they will affect surrounding communities before moving forward.

Do you believe there should be data center regulations put in place? Explain.

Yes, Anne Arundel County should regulate data centers including strict pollution controls, energy efficiency requirements, water usage protections, and careful zoning review.

What steps would you take to offset data center impacts to residents’ standard of living, such as rising energy prices?

To protect residents Anne Arundel County must set strong safeguards before approving any data center development. That includes strict noise and pollution limits near residential neighborhoods, careful zoning restrictions to keep large-scale facilities away from inappropriate areas, and stronger environmental oversight.

To help offset rising energy costs, I would support requiring use of renewable energy and stronger energy efficiency standards. I also believe environmental impact reporting should be public and transparent, so residents can clearly see how these projects affect utility costs, water usage, and overall community health.

How would you distinguish between a good vs. bad data center? Or do you believe no data centers should be in the county/district?

I would distinguish between good and bad data centers by evaluating it's economic value while minimizing harm to residents and the environment. Questions such as: Is it creating good paying jobs ? Is it contributing meaningful tax revenue? What is its projected water and energy consumption? Does it include strong environmental protections? Is it creating pathways for workforce development, apprenticeships, and skilled labor training?

Gov. Wes Moore signed bills banning agreements between local police and federal immigration officials in February. What is your opinion of the legislation?

I 100% agree with this agreement signed by Governor Wes Moore. I do not support the cooperation of local police assisting immigration officials. The Anne Arundel County Police Department have been developing a long-term community policing approach by gaining the trust of residents. We should not jeopardize that core relationship with residents.

What steps would you take to support or readjust that initiative?

As a councilmember, I will ensure Anne Arundel County remains active in not supporting or aiding any ICE operations.

What is your stance on the establishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the county and/or your district?

I STRONGLY oppose the development of any ICE detentions center in District 1 or Anne Arundel County.

What actionable plans would you undertake to address illegal immigration?

I would support partnerships with trusted community organizations such as CASA to ensure outreach, legal education, and resources are available to immigrant communities. I would also advocate for continued funding of programs that connect immigrant families with workforce development, health care access, and community services.

Education: What is the biggest issue facing Anne Arundel County Public Schools? How would you address it?

The biggest issue facing Anne Arundel County Public Schools is teacher retention. A key driver of this challenge is compensation that has not kept pace with the cost of living and inflation, making it difficult to recruit and retain high quality educators.

As a County Councilmember, I would advocate for fully funding our public schools so that the Board of Education has the resources needed to address staffing shortages, improve compensation, and strengthen retention efforts.

A student brings a gun/weapon to school, which is not fitted with any metal detectors. What security measures would you advocate for to ensure student and staff safety?

As a councilmember, I will advocate for a budget that includes funding for greater safety measures such as metal detectors or additional school resource officers.

Do you believe schools need stricter security measures? Metal detectors?

Yes, I support stronger security measures to keep students and staff safe, including controlled building access, metal detectors, improved visitor screening, and coordination with school resource officers.

Anne Arundel County is experiencing a housing shortage. What steps would you take to address the crisis?

To address Anne Arundel County’s housing shortage, I would support expanding mixed-use development, increasing density in appropriate areas, and encouraging the construction of additional multi-family housing options such as apartments and townhomes.

I also support transit-oriented development that places housing closer to job centers and public transportation, helping reduce commuting costs and improving accessibility.

What will you do to encourage affordable/public housing?

To encourage more affordable and public housing, I would support targeted incentives for developers who commit to building affordable units, such as tax credits, density bonuses, or other proven financing tools that make these projects more feasible. At the same time, I believe the County should review and modernize its permitting and approval processes. Responsible streamlining without sacrificing environmental review or community input.

How will you address crime in the county/your district?

I will address crime in District 1 by advocating for more resources to the Anne Arundel County Police Department, including increasing modern technology, training, and staffing.

At the same time, addressing crime requires more than enforcement alone. We must also invest in prevention, such as youth engagement, mental health services, and economic opportunity, to address some of the root causes of crime.