NEW CARROLLTON, Md. – City Councilmember Briana Urbina announced Wednesday that she will seek the office of mayor in the city’s special election scheduled for Nov. 9. In a statement to local media, Urbina said the city’s residents deserve “a future that delivers the investments that match our values, with a bold vision and strategic direction that makes our streets safer, our neighborhoods more vibrant and communities more prosperous.”
Background to the mayoral vacancy
The mayoral seat became vacant after the council voted to remove former Mayor Phelecia E. Nembhard last week. Council members cited allegations that Nembhard violated a city hiring freeze by rehiring two former employees in new positions without council approval. Nembhard denied the accusations, but the council, citing concerns about procedural compliance and alleged intimidation of staff, voted to oust her during a heated meeting.
Urbina’s experience and platform
Urbina has served on the New Carrollton City Council since 2021 and held the position of council chair for two years. A mother and former teacher, she said she will spend the coming weeks traveling throughout the city to listen to neighbors and share her vision for the future. “Being mayor is more than managing City Hall and waving at festivals,” Urbina said. “It’s an opportunity to fight for the future that we all deserve.”
Council’s rationale for the removal
According to Urbina, any hiring during the freeze required explicit council permission. She asserted that Mayor Nembhard failed to obtain that permission and also attempted to intimidate staff. “The only reason these people weren’t given any keys is because the city manager chose to resign, and the city manager resigned because she believed this action was unlawful and tried to warn the mayor,” Urbina explained ahead of the council meeting.
After the vote, Nembhard accused councilmembers of misconduct, alleging that one councilmember tried to intimidate city staff to hire her wife and that others used police and city employees for personal favors. Those accusations have not been substantiated in the council record.
What’s next for the special election
The special election will determine who will lead New Carrollton for the remainder of the term. With the council’s recent action highlighting the importance of transparent governance, candidates are expected to address issues of fiscal responsibility, public safety and community development. Urbina’s campaign emphasizes restoring confidence in city leadership and ensuring that future hiring decisions follow established procedures.
Residents are encouraged to attend upcoming town‑hall meetings, review candidate statements and participate in the voting process. The city’s election office will provide details on polling locations and registration deadlines in the coming weeks.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
