Council member votes out the mayor

Briana Urbina helped lead a 4-1 vote to remove Mayor Phelecia Nembhard over alleged violations of a hiring freeze. The decision sparked intense backlash and accusations of a witch hunt.

“I was reluctant initially because I didn't want it like this.”

Days later, she announces her run

Less than a week after the removal vote, Urbina announced her campaign for mayor in the May election. She said she had been considering the race independently of her vote.

Two elections loom ahead

A special election on November 9 will fill the remainder of Nembhard's term. The winner must then run again in the regular May election.

Urbina wants to weaken the mayor

She plans to overhaul the city's government structure by moving away from the strong mayor system, where the mayor has broad authority over daily operations independent of the council.

“The mayors have been preoccupied with the day-to-day affairs and operating as the CEO of the city.”

Tax shift targets corporations

Urbina wants to raise taxes on large corporate property owners while offering them rebates for bringing retail and businesses to the community. She points to empty storefronts like a former Shoppers location.

“Right now we have many empty storefronts, most significantly Shoppers, and the property owner is not motivated to get tenants because they use their large commercial properties as tax write-offs.”

Data centers and police cooperation

Urbina supports a moratorium on data centers in Prince George's County due to environmental and power grid concerns. She also backs continuing the city's restriction on police coordination with ICE.

Not an enemy, she insists

Urbina said she does not view Nembhard as an enemy and wants to continue the former mayor's successful initiatives while implementing her own reforms.

“The things that Mayor Nembhard did well are things that I would want to continue.”