Kent A. Roberson (born 1985) is an American politician who is currently a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 25.[1]
Background
Roberson was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School and later attended Ball State University, earning a bachelor's and master's degree in political science in 2002 and 2007, and the Wesley Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2003.[1]
Roberson first got involved in politics during high school in 2002, working as a student page for the Maryland House of Delegates. In 2013, he started work in the Maryland General Assembly mailroom.[2] After graduating, Roberson worked as an intern for U.S. Representative Albert Wynn, later serving as a senior government relations manager for the Corn Refiners Association[3] and the vice president of the Prince George's County Parent Teacher Student Association. In 2021, Roberson was appointed as the African-American Diversity Leadership chair for the state of Maryland.[4]
In 2018, Roberson was elected to the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee for District 25. He was re-elected to a second term after running unopposed in 2022, subsequently becoming the committee's chair.[5]
Also in 2018, Roberson unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 25, placing fifth with 6.4 percent of the vote.[6] In 2022, Roberson unsuccessfully ran for the Prince George's County Board of Education, losing to small business owner Lolita Walker.[4]
During the 2020 presidential primaries, Roberson unsuccessfully ran for national delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Elizabeth Warren.[7] He later served as an elector for Maryland's 5th congressional district in the 2020 United States presidential election.[8]
In the legislature
In April 2023, Roberson applied to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of state delegate Darryl Barnes.[5] He was unanimously nominated by fellow members of the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee on May 5, 2023.[9] Roberson was sworn into office on May 30, 2023.[2]
Personal life
Kent is married to his wife, Jamii.[2] Together, they have three children.[5][3]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cheryl S. Landis (incumbent) | 56,024 | 78.3 | |
| Democratic | Kent A. Roberson | 15,571 | 21.7 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Darryl Barnes (incumbent) | 13,050 | 26.5 | |
| Democratic | Dereck E. Davis (incumbent) | 12,152 | 24.7 | |
| Democratic | Nick Charles | 8,330 | 16.9 | |
| Democratic | Wala Blegay | 6,217 | 12.6 | |
| Democratic | Kent Roberson | 3,126 | 6.4 | |
| Democratic | Sherman R. Hardy | 2,200 | 4.5 | |
| Democratic | Stanley Onye | 2,070 | 4.2 | |
| Democratic | Maurice Culbreath | 2,041 | 4.1 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kent Roberson | 53,541 | 51.6 | |
| Democratic | Sherma Jack Brisseau | 50,272 | 48.4 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kent Roberson (incumbent) | 100,319 | 100.0 | |
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lolita Walker | 17,861 | 56.8 | |
| Kent Roberson | 13,390 | 42.6 | |
| Write-in | 213 | 0.7 | |
References
- ^ a b "Kent Roberson, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c Ford, William J.; Kurtz, Josh; Sears, Bryan P. (May 30, 2023). "Notes: A new delegate, a gig for wife of Moore's chief of staff, AG sues chemical polluters, and more". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "Kent Roberson, Senior Manager, Government Relations". Corn.org. Corn Refiners Association. Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ a b Gauer, Akshaj (November 7, 2022). "Meet the PGCPS school board candidates in southern Prince George's County". The Diamondback. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c Beachum, Lateshia (April 24, 2023). "Successor to outgoing Maryland Del. Darryl Barnes to be named this week". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
- ^ "Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Male Delegates to the Democratic National Convention". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 2, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ Leckrone, Bennett (October 14, 2020). "Here Are Maryland's Potential Electors For 2020". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Kurtz, Josh; Sears, Bryan P. (May 5, 2023). "Roundup: Prince George's Dems pick chair for House vacancy, attitudes on sports betting, and new enviro leaders". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
- ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Prince George's County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
- ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Prince George's County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Prince George's County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. August 24, 2022.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for Prince George's County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.