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Percel Alston, a retired Prince George's County police officer and union president, is running for the south county Dist. 27A delegate seat, he announced last week.

Alston, who has represented the county and state Fraternal Order of Police unions in Annapolis and was a county police officer for 24 years, is the first candidate to announce a run for one of the two district seats currently held by Dels. James E. Proctor Jr. (D) of Brandywine and Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D) of Upper Marlboro. Dist. 27A covers portions of Prince George's and Calvert counties.

Voters choose two candidates for the district to represent them in the House of Delegates. The 2010 primary is scheduled for Sept. 12.

None of the county's incumbent delegates and senators has formally filed for re-election in 2010 yet.

If elected, Alston said he wants to improve public safety and schools and said he is more in touch with issues in the county.

"The people of the 27th District have lost their voice in Annapolis," Alston said. "With my experience, I've seen how the process has worked."

Alston is the latest candidate to declare a run for state office in the eight legislative districts that cover Prince George's County, where each is represented by a senator and up to three delegates.

Erek L. Barron of Mitchellville and Davion E. Percy of District Heights have filed to run for the District 25 delegate seats in the Democratic primary, and Wanda Shelton-Martin of Lanham has filed to run for delegate in District 47.

Nearly every state and local politician faces election in 2010, including races for county executive, County Council, delegates, senators and Congress.

County unemployment at 7 percent

More than 32,000 Prince George's County adults were unemployed earlier this fall, according to the latest figures released by the federal government.

According to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Labor, Prince George's County's unemployment rate rose to 7.3 percent in September, the most recent figures available. The percentage is about 2 percent below national average for the same time.

Unemployment figures are about 2.5 percentage points more than the same time in 2008, when unemployment was at 4.8 percent.

The rate applies to the county's overall labor force, estimated at 437,693 workers.

The rate is in the middle among state jurisdictions. Unemployment in Baltimore city was the highest in the state at 10.6 percent, while Montgomery County had the lowest rate at 5.3 percent.

Nationwide, the unemployment rate for September 2009 hovered at 9.5 percent. Maryland's overall unemployment rate was 7.1 percent.

Delegates to go over bills this month

The House delegation of Prince George's County is scheduled to review proposed local bills for the 2010 General Assembly Session beginning Dec. 10.

The hearings by the group's Law Enforcement, County Affairs and Bi-County committees will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 15 and 17 at the Rennie Forum at the Prince George's Community College student center.

As a way of controlling work during the 90-day session, Prince George's 23 delegates hold public hearings and internal votes before pushing local legislation through the state General Assembly.

Previous local bills that passed included proposals to legalize speed cameras in Prince George's County, give tax credits to environmentally friendly businesses and restrict the sale of liquor in certain parts of the county. Last year, the delegation considered 50 bills, about half of which passed the legislature.

For a list of bills under consideration and more information, visit www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com or call the delegation office at 301-858-3074.