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Four years ago, the Democratic primary for the District 23 seat in the Maryland Senate was one of the closest races in Maryland, with 570 votes separating the winner, county councilman Douglas J.J. Peters, from his top rival, attorney Bobby Henry Jr.

Both are back this year, as are two additional candidates.

Incumbent Peters (D), 46, of Bowie; Darrell Carrington, 42, of Bowie; Mike Anderson, 43, of Upper Marlboro; and Henry, 52, of Mitchellville are the four candidates running for the senate seat for District 23.

District 23 includes Bowie, Mitchellville, Glenn Dale, Lanham, Seabrook, Kettering, Upper Marlboro and South Laurel.

The filing deadline was July 6. Primary elections are scheduled for Sept. 14, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Henry, who said he will focus on education, health care and economic development if elected, said he believes education, the economy, crime and health care are the most important issues to voters.

"People are extremely concerned about the poor quality of education the children are receiving in Prince George's County and how they aren't competitive. They're very, very concerned about the lack of jobs," Henry said. "Crime is still on the radar screen, [too]."

Henry said what separates him from his opponents is, if elected, where his loyalty lies.

"What makes me different from the other guys is I'm not bought — I don't owe anyone anything," Henry said. "If you accept all of the developers' and special-interest money, then you're going to have to reciprocate in kind. I am free to do what's in the best interest of the constituents."

Henry added that his 27 years of practicing law also sets him apart from his opponents.

"I never take a break from handling people's concerns. I deal with it all on a daily basis," Henry said.

In 2006, Henry received 7,212 votes, while Peters received 7,782 votes.

Peters said if re-elected, he will focus on job creation, education and transportation, which he learned from a July poll of residents in Dist. 23 are their three biggest concerns. Peters did not know who conducted the poll.

"For the first time, job creation has taken the No. 1 position," Peters said. "Obviously the economy is really creating problems for a lot of individuals who have lost their jobs. That was pretty significant."

Peters said what separates him from his opponents is his experience.

"I have the experience," Peters said. "I know the details of the budget; I know how to get legislation through. I think that [voters] have to look at basically what I've done over the past four years. I think it's great that we have people running, that we have competition, but I think you really have to look at what my opponents have done over the past four years, not the past 90 days."

Carrington said his energy and passion set him apart from the other candidates.

"I am a proven leader. I have a track record that demonstrates nothing but success," Carrington said. "None of the other candidates have my energy, my drive, my passion and my track record for delivering my results."

While Carrington said he is most concerned about job creation, education and reducing crime, he said voters are more focused on their homes and the county's foreclosure rate.

"I am the only person who can articulate and explain how we can stop our home prices from falling tomorrow," Carrington said.

Anderson said he has heard from voters that they are concerned about the economy, schools, crime and health care. If elected, his outlook would help assuage voters' fears, he said.

Anderson said the county could improve its school system and decrease crime, for example, only when the attitudes of residents change, not through new laws and policies.

"I just think I have a very different outlook on what the real cause of the problems are," Anderson said. "I just think I'm different — I'm not just looking at the solutions to the symptoms — I'm trying to get to the root cause. Policy and legislation is not going to fix the root cause of any of the problems in the county, in my opinion."

Anderson added, in an e-mail, that "politics can't change the quality of life for the masses. We must do that for ourselves, by changing the way we think and process."

For more information on the candidates, visit their websites: http://bobbyhenry.com; www.carringtonforsenate.com; and www.senatorpeters.com.

Early voting starts Friday

Early voting begins Friday and continues through Sept. 9, except for Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at these sites:

College Park Community Center, 5051 Pierce Ave.

Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Center, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover

Bowie Library, 15210 Annapolis Road

Upper Marlboro Community Center, 5400 Marlboro Race Track Road

Oxon Hill Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road

Registered voters may vote at any of the five early voting locations. Voters may only vote at their precinct on election day, Sept. 14.

eskalski@gazette.net