Julian Ivey didn’t consider a future in politics, but an encounter at 18 years old with state troopers at the University of Maryland in College Park helped rethink that position.
Although Ivey encountered no harm, the mere fact he felt threatened just because he’s a young Black man pushed him to speak out on a variety of topics. He and others on campus organized various grass-roots campaigns and activities that included a basketball game with police officers.
“I want to make sure I am impactful and successful as I can be.,” said Ivey, now 23, a former Cheverly town councilman who will serve as a state delegate representing District 47A. “You have a whole team of people willing to help you. Every day we are going to wake up and fight for the people of Prince George’s.”
Ivey will join several other Prince George’s County representatives elected in November to serve in Annapolis and improve their communities from a state perspective.
The other Democrats who plan to serve with Ivey in the House of Delegates include former County Council members Andrea Harrison (District 24) and Mary Lehman (District 21); Nick Charles (District 25); Wanika Fisher (District 47B); Veronica Turner (District 26); and Ron Watson (District 23B).
Malcolm Augustine (District 47), an alternate on Metro’s board of directors, and former County Councilman Obie Patterson will serve in the state Senate.
They attended an orientation session last month about drafting bills, committee setup, briefings on the ongoing education proposal from the Kirwan Commission and other information involved in state government.
Each person will also review specific legislation presented by the county delegation such as a proposal to add additional speed cameras along Route 210, long considered one of the state’s most dangerous highways. Only one camera was approved in the southbound direction at the intersection of Route 210 and Old Fort Road near Livingston Square shopping center in Fort Washington.
Patterson will represent District 26 as one of the few officials familiar with Annapolis because he served from 1995 to 2007.
“The most enlightening thing for me was to network with other colleagues,” he said. “This time now, you have almost a complete make-over of the General Assembly. We have about 18 new senators coming on board. We get there and learn about each other’s personalities. I’m excited to get to work.”