More News

Prince George's Clerk of the Court Peggy Magee is seeking the county's top prosecution post in this year's election, with plans to better focus prosecutors and improve services.

Magee, 58, filed papers Dec. 31 with the elections board to run for state's attorney. The Upper Marlboro resident is the only official candidate, but four other Democrats are also campaigning for the post.

The winner of the election will take over from State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey (D), who announced last week that he is retiring after his second four-year term ends this year.

"I loved being a prosecutor," said Magee, who worked as an assistant state's attorney in the county from 1998 to 2002. "You get to help make Prince George's County a safer community. I'm going to go up there and make sure the office serves the community."

Magee said she plans to push the county's prosecutors to focus more on cases and reduce the number of incidents where charges are dropped against defendants. She was unable to say how often charges are dropped by the office.

"We need to be stronger than what [current prosecutors] are, more dedicated to doing their jobs," she said.

In addition to Magee, four other county lawyers are campaigning for state's attorney in the Sept. 14 primary election. County Council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel, Revenue Authority Executive Director Angela Alsobrooks, Police Department Inspector General Mark Spencer and Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Wright have said they are running for the office.

Of the candidates, Magee, Alsobrooks, Spencer and Wright all worked as prosecutors under former State's Attorney Jack B. Johnson (D), who is now serving his final year as county executive. Magee said she was not sure if the outgoing executive is supporting a candidate.

Before earning her law degree from Catholic University in the late 1990s, Magee served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net.

Peggy Magee

Prince George's County state's attorney candidate

Place of residence: Upper Marlboro

Age: 58

Place of birth: Collins, Miss.

Occupation: Clerk of the court since 2006 and associate professor in criminal justice, University of Maryland University College; former assistant to County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), 2002-2006; assistant state's attorney, 1998-2002; retired Air Force, served from 1976 to 1996.

Education: Paralegal degree, University of Maryland University College; law degree, Catholic University Law School.

Community associations: President-elect, Bladensburg Rotary Club; member, National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Professional associations: County, state and national bar associations, American Academy of Certified Public Managers.

Family: One child.

Campaign office address and telephone: 301-780-3836; P.O. Box 3006, Upper Marlboro, MD 20773

Web site: www.peggymagee.com