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County Council Member (At-Large) · Prince George's County · 2026 Primary
At-large county council members represent the entire county rather than a specific geographic district, making decisions that affect all residents. They are responsible for passing local laws, overseeing land use and zoning, and approving the county budget which determines funding for schools, roads, and public safety. This office is vital because these members balance the needs of the whole community to set the county’s long-term priorities and tax rates.
View all candidates in this raceDr. Laura S. Gilchrest is an educator, single mother, activist, and Prince George's County resident running for an at-large seat on the Prince George's County Council. She was born and raised in a working-class family in a rural Texas town near Houston, where her father worked as a career firefighter and her mother as a nurse. A first-generation college graduate, she arrived in the DMV in 2011 to pursue PhD studies in anthropology at American University and holds degrees from American University and DePaul University. Her field work included spending a year in Honduras researching medical missions' effects on health outcomes in rural communities. She currently serves as adjunct faculty at George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs, teaching Human Rights and Ethics.
Sources: Campaign website
Dr. Gilchrest believes working people in Prince George's County deserve better services, support, and safety nets.
I firmly believe that policy should reflect our values and be forward-looking. We don't need empty, outdated, or obscure policies. Prince Georgians want and need effective policies that are based on the real, material needs of the people, our communities.
Environmental Justice demands that we reject these projects for the safety and long-term health of our residents and the environment in Prince George's county and all of Maryland.
I have lived the struggle for workers rights, helping with the unionization effort amongst her peers in graduate school and as a current member of SEIU Local 500.
Source: electlauragilchrest.com
Data Centers
Opposes building data centers in Landover, citing concerns about increased electric bills of $70/month per resident, destabilizing the energy grid, and environmental hazards to air, water, and health quality.
“Our communities have consistently said that they do not want a data center in Landover and I'm with them. Marylanders already pay some of the highest costs for electricity in the country.”
Labor Rights
Supports stronger, equitable, democratic unions and pro-employee labor policies based on personal experience navigating underemployment while pursuing degrees.
“Stronger, equitable, democractic unions and pro-employee labor policies benefit all of us. Strong unions are the backbone of a thriving economy and labor force.”
Community Governance
Running as a publicly financed candidate emphasizing community involvement and inclusion in County Council decision making.
“Laura shared why she's running for County Council at Large as a publicly financed candidate and the importance of community involvement and inclusion in County Council decision making and governance.”
According to PG Proud Mag published March 28, 2026, Laura S. Gilchrest is listed among Democratic candidates running for Prince George's County Council at-large seats. The Maryland Wire Substack article from February 14, 2026 discusses the at-large race but focuses primarily on incumbent Jolene Ivey and Sean A. Floyd rather than providing specific information about Gilchrest.
“Environmental Justice demands that we reject these projects for the safety and long-term health of our residents and the environment in Prince George's county and all of Maryland.”
Source“I firmly believe that policy should reflect our values and be forward-looking. We don't need empty, outdated, or obscure policies.”
Source“Dr. Gilchrest has spent most of her adult life and career working with communities in and from Central and South America... to assess health systems, improve access to healthcare, economic opportunity and equity.”
Source“Employee unions and labor rights policies have allowed me to survive those seasons. Stronger, equitable, democractic unions and pro-employee labor policies benefit all of us.”
Source