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State Sen. David C. Harrington (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly will be vying to keep his seat in the general assembly this fall, and cited job creation, healthier food options and senior housing as top priorities.

Harrington, the former Dist. 5 Prince George's County Councilman, was chosen in 2008 to take the senate seat after Gwendolyn Britt died of heart failure. Harrington said at the time he promised to run for re-election.

"It would have been inappropriate to not seek this seat again, because in the senate and the general assembly, one of the ways of gaining leverage is seniority," Harrington said. "To only have the position for two and a half years and then leave it would not do justice to the citizens of the 47th district."

As of press time, no one else had filed to run for the District 47, which includes Bladensburg, Brentwood, Cheverly, Chillum, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, Hyattsville, Landover Hills, Langley Park, Mount Rainier, New Carrollton and North Brentwood. The general election is Nov. 2.

Harrington, a former Bladensburg mayor, said he also has unfinished business in the state house, including bills pushing for healthier food options in the county and requiring new utilities seeking permits to submit studies on the environmental impact on nearby neighborhoods.

Harrington said the number of bills he sponsored that passed—about 30—was a top accomplishment in office, such as bills requiring new elementary and middle school plans to include gymnasiums and a transportation bill encouraging new projects in low-income communities.

Harrington has been in public service for slightly less than 17 years, and said, "No one else has that breadth and depth of experience, and I think that's why I've been successful in getting that amount of legislation through."

During his next term, Harrington wants to attract more jobs, affordable and assisted living options for senior citizens, healthy food options and grocery stores to the district.

North Brentwood Mayor Petrella Robinson said Harrington developed a District 47 economic commission that meets quarterly. She said Harrington has "done a good job" during his short time in the state office.

"He's a working senator," Robinson said. "He always brings us any help we may need and he always keeps us informed."

Harrington said he's attracted to public service because he loves working with the community.

"Public life is hard, it really is. It can be brutal, taxing on your family, taxing on your health, but you get that one e-mail and [someone writes], ‘Wow, you helped me. Hey senator, you're making a difference.' That is worth the 10 or dozen other things you went through and you want to pull your hair out over," he said.

E-mail Elahe Izadi at eizadi@gazette.net.

Democrat

-Residence: Cheverly

-Age: 55

-How long has he lived in county: 30 years

-Place of birth: New York, New York

-Current occupation: Informational Technology Business Manager

-Education: Bachelor of Arts from Howard University

-Community associations: Board member, Community Legal Services; Board member, Maryland Non-Profit

-Family: Wife: Cheryl; two sons: Stephen and Christopher

-Campaign telephone number: 301-789-4140

-Website: www.davidcharrington.org