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Prince George's County Councilman Tony Knotts said he plans to run for county executive in the 2010 election.

"This county can do a lot better," Knotts (D-Dist. 8) of Temple Hills said in an interview Sept. 24. "I see a progression in Prince George's, and I think I'm the best person who can move this county forward."

Knotts, 58, has lived in Prince George's County since he was a teenager and has served as councilman since 2002. A former Marine and a Vietnam veteran, Knotts retired last year after 30 years with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, where he retired as strategic management specialist.

If elected, Knotts said he wants the county government to take a more active role in school construction, increase minority business opportunities in the county and work more closely with the state delegation.

"We need to start defining our purpose, what we want Prince George's County to become," he said. "We need to actually have the two governments getting together from the first day."

Knotts said he believes his ties to his district, where he has implemented programs for seniors and youth, will give him an edge in a crowded race.

"This is probably the best district where people can see how my programs would work across the county," Knotts said. "People can know me by looking at what I've already done."

Knotts is the third candidate to confirm plans to seek the executive seat being left by Jack B. Johnson, who is prevented from seeking re-election due to term limits. Two-time candidate Rushern L. Baker III of Cheverly announced his plans more than a year ago, and County Councilman Samuel Dean (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville announced in late August his intention to run.

None of the men has officially filed for office, according to the county board of elections. The deadline to file for the Sept. 14, 2010, primary election is July 6.

Several others are rumored to be exploring a run for the seat, including State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey and Sheriff Michael Jackson.

-Candidate name: Tony Knotts

-Party affiliation: Democrat

-Place of residence: Temple Hills

-Age: 58

-Place of birth: Danville, Va.

-Current occupation: Retired

-Education: Bachelor and master's degrees in political science, Bowie State University; master's degree in public policy, University of Maryland, College Park

-Community associations, involvement: Past vice president, Prince George's County Young Democrats; County councilman, 2002 to present

-Family: Engaged