Interim State's Attorney Tara Jackson launches campaign, stakes set for contested race

Tara H. Jackson, who has served as the interim Prince George's County state's attorney, formally entered the race to keep the office on November 12, 2025 at a campaign event in Upper Marlboro. Jackson framed her bid around a platform of tougher accountability for violent offenders, broader pathways to rehabilitation for youth, trauma informed services for victims, and greater transparency in charging and prosecution decisions. Her campaign launch was accompanied by high profile endorsements including U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks and other local leaders, signaling significant establishment support as the contest moves forward.

Jackson will face County Council member Wanika B. Fisher, who had previously declared her candidacy and has campaigned on addressing drug addiction, homelessness, violent crime, and protecting seniors from financial abuse. The matchup brings competing visions for how the prosecutor's office should balance public safety and reform, and it will shape prosecutorial priorities in a county where residents have voiced increasing alarm about violent crime and carjackings since 2020.

The stakes for voters extend beyond personalities. The state's attorney controls charging decisions, diversion policies, plea negotiations, and victim services, all of which affect how the county responds to violent crime trends and social problems tied to substance use and housing instability. Jackson's emphasis on prosecutorial transparency may appeal to residents seeking clearer explanations for case outcomes, while Fisher's focus on addiction and homelessness positions criminal justice responses within a broader public health and social services framework.

Endorsements and institutional backing can influence fundraising and turnout in local elections, especially in a jurisdiction with strong party infrastructure and competitive primaries. Voter decisions in this race will be shaped by perceptions of safety, confidence in rehabilitation programs for youth, and trust in the county's ability to protect vulnerable populations such as seniors and victims of trauma.

Community groups, defense attorneys, law enforcement stakeholders, and advocacy organizations will likely play active roles as the campaign progresses, seeking to hold candidates accountable to specific policy commitments. With public concern about violent crime continuing to inform civic debate, the outcome will determine prosecutorial direction and priorities that directly affect daily life in Prince George's County.