Former Del. Darryl Barnes has a new job as chair of the Prince George’s Planning Board after a unanimous vote of the county council July 8, 2025 confirmed his nomination to the position.
“He is a unifier. He is someone who understands the importance of working equally with the executive branch as with the legislative branch,” said County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D), who tapped Barnes for the position. “He is someone who I believe will play a major role, an important role, in ensuring that the future of this county is as bright as the people in this room.”
A standing-room-only crowd filled the council chambers with supporters, including current and former state and county legislators and business and community leaders. Former Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene Grant gave rousing remarks in support of Barnes.
“In this land, Prince George’s County, there’s been a lot of strange songs [that have] been sung for the past several years, but now the lyrics are changing,” Grant said. “Now the tune is changing. Now the beat is changing, and that change is coming through brother Darryl Barnes.”
Barnes was a Democratic state delegate from 2015 to 2023 representing the the 25th District. As chair, he will lead a five-member board that administers subdivision regulations in the county, approves various site plans and advises the county council on any proposed changes to zoning, among the body’s various duties.
