County primary elections are still 15 months away, but at least two Laurelites are ready to throw their hats in the ring for Prince George's County positions.

County Council Vice Chair Thomas Dernoga has said that he is "focusing" on the upcoming race for the county State's Attorney office while his former aide, Mary Lehman, announced June 23 that she is officially campaigning to succeed Dernoga for the District 1 seat on the County Council.

"I've been thinking about such a campaign for years and I came to the conclusion that this is the right time in my life to make this move," she said at her announcement party at Three Brothers Italian Restaurant in South Laurel. "I love public service and I consider it to be my calling in life."

Even before walking in the door, signs of her campaign had already been posted outside along Contee Road, stating "Mary Lehman: A strong voice for strong communities."

Surrounded by about 130 supporters and friends, Lehman said that although she has not formed many of her campaign's platforms, she will focus much of her campaign on "common sense" development and education. During her time as an aide in Dernoga's office, Lehman often served as an advisor to the council member on matters of education and development. After working with Dernoga for several years, Lehman left his Upper Marlboro offices to work with state Del. Joseline Pena-Melynk as a legislative aide in Annapolis.

Now, she's hoping to make a return trip to Upper Marlboro.

Lehman credited her mother as much of the reason why she has sought public office, noting that her mom once fought for desegregation of their Greenbelt neighborhood.

"When I was a child, my mother would go to those meetings and when I asked why, she would say 'I'm trying to make the world a better place for you,' " Lehman said. "That's why I'm running for county council: To do the same thing for my children."

Lehman said she plans to focus on education and development because she is familiar with the topics, but also because they are important matters facing the county.

In particular, she said she hopes to stop the revolving door for the superintendent's office.

"Every few years, we have a new superintendent, and they end up feeling like they have to reinvent the wheel," she said. "That's hurting our schools and our children and that needs to stop."

Several people took time to speak on Lehman's behalf.

Dernoga endorsed Lehman with comments before Tuesday's announcement in an e-mail.

"Having poured all of my energy into this seat on behalf of my constituents and county citizens for the past eight years, I want to leave office knowing that the issues that I hold dear, and the approach to good government that I expect, will be carried on by a worthy successor," he said. "Mary has the intellect, the integrity and the experience to represent this District, and to do it in a way that the citizens expect and will appreciate."

Pena-Melnyk also spoke out on her former aide's behalf.

"Just like me, she is coming from a grassroots campaign," she said. "She's my sister and my right hand. And if she can put up with me, she can put up with anyone."

State Sen. James Rosapepe was also at the announcement. While he declined to endorse Lehman, he did acknowledge being "a big fan of Mary."

"She's knowledgeable on all the issues of her community and that makes her a good public servant," he said.

Dernoga, meanwhile, has not officially announced his candidacy for the State's Attorney, but said he is "focusing" his campaign interest on the race to replace Glenn Ivey. Ivey, who is eligible to run again, is rumored to be considering a run for County Executive, but could not be reached for comment.

Dernoga said he first expressed interest in running for State's Attorney at his 50th birthday party in March, based on conversations with "a number of elected officials."

He cited his 25 years as an attorney as well as eight years so far as a council member as evidence of his ability to run an "effective, responsive office."

"This county has a lot of crime issues, and hence a lot of stress on the State's Attorney's office," he said in an e-mail. "There is a great need to run an efficient office, retain the best and most experienced attorneys possible and provide them with the support and resources necessary."

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