2026 Candidate Spotlight: Meet Bertrand Tessa

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Bertrand Tessa has entered the race for Prince George's County Council (at large). Patch posed questions to each candidate running for office.

Below you will find Tessa's responses, verbatim:

Name: Bertrand Tessa
Age on Election Day: 48
Hometown: Upper Marlboro
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Email address: bertrand.tessa2@gmail.com
Campaign website: bertrandtessa.com

Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.

While I may not have held elected office before, I have built meaningful experience that directly relates to public service, leadership, and community impact. My background includes working closely with diverse stakeholders, managing projects and programmes, and solving real-world problems that affect people’s daily lives. In my professional role as a Regional Advisor at the United Nations, I regularly engage with governments, private sector partners, and communities globally to design and implement solutions that improve systems, strengthen capacity, and deliver measurable results for people and their environment.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?
The single most important issue facing voters in the 6th District is economic opportunity—especially the rising cost of living and limited access to sustainable, quality jobs. Many residents are working hard but still struggling with high food prices, housing costs, and limited income growth. This affects not just individuals, but families, businesses, and the overall health of the community.

To address this, I would focus on a practical, results-driven approach built on three key pillars:

Job Creation and Skills Development - I will prioritize partnerships with the private sector, educational institutions, and training programs to expand job opportunities and workforce skills. This includes supporting technical and vocational education that aligns with market needs, encouraging investment in sectors with strong growth potential and creating pathways for young people and professionals to access meaningful employment.

Support for Small Businesses and Local Enterprise - Small businesses are the backbone of the district’s economy. By empowering local businesses, we can stimulate economic growth from within the community. I intend to advocate for easier access to financing and grants, and promote local procurement and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Cost-of-Living Relief and Essential Services - Addressing everyday expenses is critical. I will work toward improving efficiency and accountability in service delivery to reduce costs, supporting policies that stabilize prices of essential goods, and expanding access to affordable housing and basic infrastructure.

Economic security is foundational—when people can afford to live, work, and plan for the future, every other aspect of society improves. My focus will be on practical solutions that deliver tangible results: more jobs, stronger businesses, and a better quality of life for everyone in the 6th District.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?
What sets me apart from other candidates is the combination of both my academic preparation and my professional experience, which together equip me to bring a more comprehensive and solutions-oriented approach to serving the 6th District.

From an academic standpoint, I bring a uniquely strong and interdisciplinary foundation. I hold three master’s degrees in economics, public administration, and environmental studies.

This combination allows me to understand issues from multiple perspectives—economic growth, effective governance, and sustainability. Together, these fields provide the tools needed to develop holistic, balanced solutions that address not just immediate concerns, but also long-term community well-being.

Whether it is affordability, infrastructure, or environmental resilience, I am trained to approach these challenges in an integrated and strategic way.

From a professional standpoint, I am the only candidate with both local and international experience, having worked with the federal government as well as the United Nations. This exposure is critical. It has allowed me to see what works—not just in one community, but across different systems and regions—and to understand how successful policies can be adapted, replicated, and scaled to deliver real results.
In short, I offer a blend of deep academic insight and hands-on experience, which positions me to deliver thoughtful, effective, and forward-looking leadership for the residents of District 6.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?
My work experience ensures that my campaign goals are not just ideas—they are actionable and deliverable. Having worked at both the federal level and with the United Nations, I’ve developed and implemented programs that address real-world challenges, from economic development to governance. I understand how to move from policy to results. I’ve also worked with diverse stakeholders, which allows me to build the partnerships needed to get things done. Most importantly, my international experience enables me to bring proven best practices and adapt them to serve District 6 effectively. I bring a results-oriented approach focused on accountability, collaboration, and real impact for our community.”

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it? If that is you - how do you plan to continue improving upon what you've already accomplished?
I respect the work of the current office holder and the foundation they’ve built. However, I believe we can go further by focusing on stronger implementation and measurable results. For example, I would expand access to affordable groceries by incentivizing stores in underserved areas, support small businesses with targeted grants and reduced fees, and strengthen price monitoring to prevent unfair cost increases. I would also invest in local job training programs aligned with market needs. My approach builds on what’s working, but adds a sharper focus on accountability, economic opportunity, and delivering tangible improvements in residents’ daily lives.”

How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made?
I believe our school system has strong potential and dedicated educators, but there are clear areas where we need to improve to better serve our students and families. I would prioritize investing in teacher support and retention, because quality education starts with supported teachers in the classroom. We also need to expand career and technical education programs to better prepare students for the workforce. Additionally, I want to ensure more equitable funding so that every school—regardless of zip code—has access to modern facilities, technology, and learning resources. My goal is to build a system that delivers opportunity, excellence, and real outcomes for every student in our community.”

How do you feel about crime in your area and what steps can be taken to reduce it?
I’m deeply concerned about crime because safety is the foundation of any thriving community. While there have been efforts to address it, many residents still feel unsafe in their neighborhoods. I believe we need a balanced approach. First, we must strengthen community policing and trust between law enforcement and residents. Second, we should invest in prevention—especially youth programs, job opportunities, and education, to address root causes. Third, we need better coordination and accountability to ensure resources are used effectively. My goal is to reduce crime not just through enforcement, but by creating safer opportunities and stronger communities.”

What do you think about the economic climate and business sector in your community, and what initiatives could propel it forward?
I believe the economic climate in our community shows potential, but many small businesses and working families are still facing real challenges—especially rising costs and limited access to capital. To move forward, I would focus on practical initiatives: expanding support for small businesses through grants and reduced fees, attracting new investment into underserved areas, and strengthening workforce development programs that connect residents to good-paying jobs. I also want to improve access to local procurement so businesses here can benefit from county opportunities. My goal is to build a more inclusive, resilient economy that creates jobs, supports entrepreneurs, and benefits every part of our community.”

How do you feel about transportation options in the area and what, if anything, should be improved upon?
I believe transportation in our area has a strong foundation, but it doesn’t yet meet the daily needs of all residents—especially when it comes to reliability, accessibility, and connectivity. I would focus on improving public transit reliability and frequency, particularly for underserved communities. We also need better last-mile solutions, like safer sidewalks, bike lanes, and connections to transit hubs. In addition, I support expanding affordable transit options to reduce commuting costs for working families. My goal is to create a transportation system that is efficient, accessible, and supports both economic mobility and quality of life across District 6.”

What else would you like voters to know about you?
I want voters to know that I’m deeply committed to serving this community with integrity, focus, and results. My path—from my academic to my professional experience—has always been about solving real-world problems and improving people’s lives. I will be a true champion for this community, working every single day and night to earn and deserve your trust. For me, every day will be election day—a commitment to listen, deliver, and be accountable. I’m ready to serve with dedication and bring meaningful progress to every resident of District 6.”