The Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee chose one of its own members Tuesday night to fill the vacant District 27A seat left by Kevin Harris, who the committee selected last month for the District 27 state Senate seat.
An overwhelming 22 of the 24 central committee members present selected Darrell Odom Sr. for the House seat that represents parts of Charles and southern Prince George’s counties.
Odom, who has been a member of the central committee since 2019, thanked his colleagues and a couple dozen people who attended the more than one-hour meeting “because this is about an effort of us all. I know this is only one phase in this process.”
Because the district includes parts of neighboring Charles County, the Democratic central committee there must also weigh in on a nominee to forward to Gov. Wes Moore (D) for appointment to the seat. That Charles County central committee is scheduled to meet Saturday morning in Waldorf.
The District 27A seat became vacant after Harris was sworn in as state senator earlier this month to replace former Sen. Michael Jackson, who became the superintendent of Maryland State Police last month.
On Tuesday, Harris — now Sen. Kevin Harris (D-Prince George’s, Charles and Calvert) — was back before the committee. But this time, it was in support of Odom, highlighting his 31 years in the Army and the Coast Guard and noting that Odom was also a former acting fire chief for the county’s fire department.
“Darrell is not just a candidate. He is a proven leader whose entire life has been defined by dedicated service to our nation and our communities,” Harris said. “He brings an unparalleled breadth of experience that is precious and is precise for what we need in Annapolis.”
Odom was one of three candidates seeking the appointment.
Yonelle Moore Lee, who chairs the Charles County Board of Education, received one vote, as did Lamont Tyler Bunyon, who runs an optometry practice in the county.
Each candidate was given a chance to address the committee before being asked a list of same questions, while the other two candidates were in another room.
All three agreed they would advocate for legislation that strengthens each central committee’s authority to appointment state delegates and senators.
The legislature considered proposed changes in 2024 and again earlier this year with legislation sponsored by Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Howard and Anne Arundel). The legislation included a provision requiring members of the central committee who apply for an opening to recuse themselves from the vote, among others. Lam’s legislation has yet to get out of committee in the Senate.
Moore Lee, also an attorney, acknowledged the controversy on the appointment process, but said the central committee members are elected to “represent the people from your districts. You are closest to the real-world solutions and know the people best that would best serve your districts.”
Bunyon, who received support Tuesday from Del. Kym Taylor (D-Prince George’s), said it’s about respecting the current rules.
“It’s easy to criticize. It’s hard sometimes to build consensus, sometimes even if you don’t agree,” he said. “One thing I learned is being a leader in this community is sometimes you have to respect the majority. You have to respect the rules.”
If Charles County’s committee doesn’t choose Odom but selects Bunyon or Moore Lee, then Odom and the other person’s names will be sent to the governor who will decide which person to appoint.
Meanwhile, the Prince George’s Central Committee has more work to do on the nomination front.
That’s because Del. Jazz Lewis (D-Prince George’s), the former House majority whip who has represented District 24 since 2017, announced earlier this month that he will be stepping down to work as the director of government relations at the University of Maryland, his alma mater.
Lewis’ last day will be Jan. 5 — the same day the central committee has scheduled to meet and select his replacement ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session that begins Jan. 14.
— This story was updated on Wednesday, Dec. 31, to add comments from Sen. Kevin Harris (D-Prince George’s, Charles and Calvert).