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Leslie E. Johnson, wife of Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), announced her plans to run for County Council next year.
Leslie Johnson shared her decision during a community cable station show that aired Friday. News officials with CTV, the county's community cable channel, confirmed the announcement, which was made during taping of "Ms. Deborah's Tea Room," which profiled first ladies from around the state. The show will re-air during the channel's "Ms. Deborah's Tea Room" show at 7:30 tonight and noon Saturday.
Attempts to reach Leslie Johnson through her husband's office were unsuccessful.
If Johnson files for the District 6 council election, she will be the third person to run for the seat left by outgoing Councilman Samuel L. Dean, who is planning to run for county executive.
Abdul-Raheem Abdullah of Forestville and Derrick L. Davis of Mitchellville have also filed for the District 6 seat, which covers South Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Kettering, Largo, Mitchellville and Upper Marlboro.
An attorney who has worked for the Washington, D.C., Department of Insurance and Securities Regulation, Johnson has taken a lead on women's issues during her husband's two terms in office. She established the county's Women United to Help Others initiative and several other women's empowerment programs.
Both Dean and Johnson are unable to run for re-election due to term limits. The county executive has said he is considering a run for state office but has declined to say what office he plans to seek.