2026 Candidate Spotlight: Meet Jeana Jacobs

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Jeana Jacobs 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 Jacobs' responses, verbatim:

Name: Jeana Jacobs, Candidate for Prince George’s County Council (At Large)
Age on Election Day: 58
Place of residence: Upper Marlboro
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Email address: jeanajacobs4@council@gmail.com
Campaign website: jeanajacobs.org.

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

I served ten years on Prince George's County’s Board of Education, both as an at-large member and as a district representative. For six of those years, my colleagues elected me to serve as Board Chair. During my tenure, I served on both a fully elected board and a hybrid board composed of elected and appointed members, giving me valuable experience working within different governance structures.

My service on the Board of Education provided me with the knowledge, skills, and perspective necessary to balance the demands of a large public institution while addressing the diverse needs of students, families, employees, and taxpayers. Overseeing a $1.8 billion budget strengthened my ability to evaluate competing priorities, make difficult funding decisions, and ensure accountability for public dollars.

Combined with my professional background in law, public safety, education, and nonprofit management, this experience has prepared me to address complex policy challenges, build
consensus among diverse stakeholders, and navigate the realities of government in order to deliver meaningful results. Throughout my public service, I have learned that strong community engagement, transparent decision-making, and strategic leadership are essential to achieving positive outcomes.

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?

While it is difficult to identify a single issue as the most important, I believe the challenge that affects nearly every other concern facing Prince George's County is our long-term fiscal health and economic sustainability. State and local budget deficits, coupled with limitations in our revenue base, directly impact our ability to fund public safety, education, transportation, housing, health services, and other quality-of-life priorities.

To address this challenge, we must pursue economic development that benefits the full diversity of our residents and creates pathways to prosperity throughout the county. That means working collaboratively with residents, small businesses, major employers, labor organizations,
educational institutions, and community stakeholders to expand our tax base while creating good-paying jobs.

At the same time, economic growth must be equitable and inclusive. We are seeing significant investment and development across the county, but rising costs and affordability challenges threaten to leave many residents behind. We must ensure that growth expands opportunity,
supports small businesses, increases access to affordable housing, and strengthens county services.

My focus will be on promoting sustainable economic development, protecting our fiscal stability, and closing equity gaps so that every resident has the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in Prince George's County.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?
What distinguishes me from other candidates is my ability to focus on issues, facts, and solutions rather than personalities or political rhetoric. Throughout my career, I have developed a reputation for thoughtful, independent decision-making grounded in evidence and accountability.

I retired from the Prince George's County Department of Corrections as a Lieutenant Colonel, where I led the Office of Professional Responsibility and Legal Affairs. In that role, I was responsible for investigating complex and often sensitive matters that required careful analysis of facts, policies, and competing perspectives. The ability to remain objective, gather information from multiple sources, and reach fair, informed conclusions is a skill that translates directly to public service.

My approach to leadership is to listen first, ask questions, and seek input from diverse stakeholders, even when I am already familiar with an issue. The best decisions are made when
leaders take the time to understand how policies affect different communities and interests. Combined with my experience in education, public safety, law, and government oversight, I bring a unique perspective and proven record of navigating complex challenges while keeping the focus on achieving results for residents.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you have outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?
My professional experience has provided me with a unique combination of leadership, policy, legal, and operational expertise that directly supports the goals I have outlined
for my campaign and the responsibilities of the office I am seeking.

Throughout my career, I have served as an attorney, mediator, elected school board member and chair, public safety executive, and nonprofit leader. Each of these roles has strengthened my ability to analyze complex issues, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and make sound
decisions on behalf of the communities I serve.

As the Chief Executive Officer of a national nonprofit organization focused on federal legislation and issues before the United States Supreme Court, I gained firsthand experience advocating for policy change, working with elected officials at all levels of government, and developing strategies to address complex public policy challenges. This experience taught me how to navigate legislative processes, build coalitions, and advance meaningful solutions that improve people's lives.

My ten years on the Board of Education, including six years as Board Chair, provided valuable experience overseeing a $1.8 billion budget, establishing policy, and ensuring accountability within a large public institution. My career in public safety further strengthened my leadership,
investigative, and management skills. Together, these experiences have prepared me to address the fiscal, economic, public safety, education, and quality-of-life issues facing Prince George's County. They have given me the practical knowledge and proven leadership necessary to work collaboratively, make informed decisions, and deliver results for residents.

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 service of those who have held this office and recognize the challenges that come with representing a county as large and diverse as Prince George's County. However, based on conversations with residents, business owners, community organizations, and my own observations, I believe the at-large council position has not always been as visible,
accessible, or effective as intended.

If elected, I will make community engagement a top priority by holding regular town halls and listening sessions throughout the county, not just during election season. Residents deserve a council member who is present, responsive, and accountable. I will strengthen communication by providing regular updates on legislation, budget decisions, and county initiatives so residents understand how decisions affect their daily lives.

I will also focus on building strong working relationships with district council members, municipal leaders, community stakeholders, and county agencies to ensure that countywide
concerns receive the attention they deserve. My goal is to bring people together to address issues such as economic development, public safety, housing affordability, transportation, and educational opportunities. The at-large seat should serve as a bridge connecting communities across Prince George's County, and I am committed to making the office more accessible, transparent, and results-oriented for every resident.

How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made?

The County Council's direct responsibility is to fund the school system's operating and capital budgets, but I care deeply about the overall performance of our public schools because a strong education system is essential to the success of our students, families, and local economy. There has been progress at various times in many areas, however without sustained progress. There must be focus on improving academic outcomes for all students. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for college, careers, and civic engagement.

I support investments in early literacy, career and technical education, STEM programs, and targeted interventions for students who need additional support. Equally important is accountability. Taxpayers invest significant resources in our school system and should expect transparency, measurable results, and responsible stewardship of public funds.

We must ensure that employees at every level are supported with the training and resources they need to succeed while also being held accountable for performance and student outcomes. As a County Council member, I will continue to advocate for adequate school funding, modern learning facilities, and strong oversight to help ensure every student has the opportunity to be successful in career and life.