Dajuan Gay Announces Inspiring Decision to Not Seek Another Term, Building on Historic Election as Youngest Alderman to Sit on the Annapolis City Council

Ward 6 Alderman DaJuan Gay is setting the stage for a vibrant future that lies ahead, as he announces his plans not to seek re-election.

Alderman Gay released the following statement:

I remember the very first time I heard the term Alderman. A gentleman knocked at my grandmother's door and said he was campaigning to be the next Alderman of Ward 6. I was 16 at the time, but I thought to myself, I could do this job. I had a desire to engage in public service since middle school. A combination of my love for United States history, fantastic role models who encouraged me to lean into public service, and seeing the first African American President elected in our nation’s history, made me love politics.

Two years after that knock on my door at 18 years old, I then found myself in the position of campaigning to be the next Alderman of Ward 6. While I ultimately lost that race to now State Senator Shaneka Henson, I walked away with a greater understanding of local politics and how important building community is. In 2019, I would finally have an opportunity to be elected the youngest Alderman in the history of Annapolis. I knew I still had so much to learn, but I was eager to take on the challenge of improving the lives of those who needed a voice. I have to thank my incredible colleagues who took the time to help me understand public policy, constituent services, the city budget, and how to engage with our incredible staff.

Additionally,  I must also thank the people of Ward 6 for entrusting me to be their representative on the city council. 

To Mayor Gavin Buckley, Alderwoman Elly Tierney, Alderman Harry Huntley, Alderwoman Karma O’Neill, Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles, Alderwoman Shelia Finlayson, Alderman Marc Rodriguez, Alderman Brook Schandelmeier, Alderman Rob Savidge, and Alderman Ross Arnett. It has been the honor of my life to serve alongside each of you, and I learned so much in both a personal and professional capacity that I will forever cherish.

I have to extend a personal thanks to the following staff members for their tireless work on projects of incredible importance to me and the constituents of Ward 6. City Manager’s Teresa Sutherland, David Jarell, Mike Mallioff, Vickie Buckland, Jacqueline Guild. Assistant to the City Manager Lyn Farrow. The Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Susy Smith, and Cate Petit. The Mayor’s staff members, Will Rowell, Adetola Ajayi, Laura Gutierrez, Brian Cahalan, Hilary Raftovich, and Mitchelle Stephenson. Director of the Office of Emergency Management Kevin Simmons, Chief of the Fire Department Doug Remaley, Finance Director Jodee Dickinson, Director of Human Resources Tricia Hopkins, City Attorney Michael Lyles, Director of Planning and Zoning Chris Jacubiak, Directors of Recreation and Parks Archie Trader and Roslyn Johnson, and Director of the Department of Transportation Markus Moore. The Clerk’s Office and the Office of Law staff who assist with legislation. Regina Watkins, Cyndi Gaines, Teekia Green, Kalyn Jackson, and Cynthia Ruter. Planning and Zoning Staff members, Theresa Wellman, Denise Ruffin, and Eric Leshinsky, who’ve committed countless hours to answering my many housing questions. Members of the Office of Community Services, Iesha Young, Erin Lee, and Jada Boykins. And last, but certainly not least, Julien Jacques.

While I have a great desire to continue the critical work of providing resources to the residents of Ward 6, I have made the incredibly difficult decision not to run for a third term. 

Since my first council meeting, I have been devoted to providing resources and a voice to Ward 6. I want my constituents to know that every decision I make in a professional capacity has been, and will continue to be, in your best interest. I extend my deepest thanks to Ward 6 for believing in the goals I’ve had for a better community, and I look forward to working alongside you as a citizen after the city elections conclude later this year. In my personal capacity, I fully intend to handle any current issues and am focused on finishing my term strong.

I’ve been fortunate to chair the Housing and Human Welfare Committee and the Housing and Community Equity Development Commission and serve on the Public Safety, Environmental Matters, and Economic Matters Committees. Below, I’ve listed some of my proudest moments in my nearly 7 years on the council.

Creating the City of Annapolis Rental Assistance and Energy Assistance fund using 3% of the hotel and entertainment tax. This fund assists hundreds of Annapolitans in some of their most vulnerable moments and lets them know the city cares for their well-being.

Creating the City of Annapolis Internship program. I have long been an advocate for providing access to city government to our youth. In 2019, we started the program in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office; it has since been moved to the Human Resources Office and is funded annually.

Assisting with the development of the Office of Community Services. In 2020, after a string of shootings in Ward 6, I sponsored a resolution to urge the city to treat these incidents as a social services crisis and public health epidemic. Thanks to the work in past years by Alderwoman Shelia Finlayson, Pindell-Charles, and Alderman Arnett, we were able to hire staff and create the Office of Community Services (CA-1-21) with a licensed social worker.

Alongside Alderman Arnett (Ward 8), we introduced R-17-21 (Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis - Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant), enabling the city to partner with HACA on the Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant and pay the matching contribution of the application filing fee.

Creating the Children and Family Success grant to assist with childcare costs, after-school programming, and summer camps. While we’ve never made this a recurring program, I’ve been pleased to sponsor this in the budget for the last four years.

Served as the lead sponsor on a budget amendment allocating $150,000 in the City of Annapolis FY 2023 budget to fund Recreation and Parks, Administration Division for a consultant to study uses and modifications of the Collision Field on Pump House Road. The Department is in the process of completing the study and will request capital improvement funding for those updates.

In coordination with the Office of Emergency Management, the Office of the City Manager, and the Office of Community Services, an emergency shelter fund was created for tenants whose units need urgent repairs or are experiencing severe homelessness with a child(ren).

Served as the lead sponsor on a budget amendment allocating $500,000 in the City of Annapolis FY 2025 budget to support essential rehabilitation efforts for the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA), the public housing agency that manages public housing in the City of Annapolis. The funding is intended to assist HACA in its continuing mission to properly maintain affordable housing in Annapolis.

Establishing the Housing Affordability Task Force, which consisted of over 40 volunteers working to create guidelines to improve housing affordability in Annapolis. The task force released a report highlighting the desperate need and would push the council to take the issue seriously.

Sponsoring O-19-23, which provided property tax credits for public safety officials and 911 specialists, is consistent with my desire to make housing affordable to lower—and middle-class families.

Sponsored the lead amendment to invest $100,000 in minority and women-owned businesses. The amendment was created with the intention of having the city provide grants to small minority and women-owned businesses; however, after further deliberation with our Office of Economic Development, we opted to partner with the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and their Inclusive Ventures Program. This partnership allows the city to fund cohorts where applicants receive business training and financial assistance.

Colloborated with the Annapolis Office of Emergency Management, the Annapolis Fire Department, and the Naptown Anti-Dope organization created by Adetola Ajayi in the Office of the Mayor, to consistently reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Ward 6. Through the efforts of our staff and non-profit organizations, residents have had increased access to rehabilitation programming and harm reduction tools. 

Served as the lead sponsor on a budget amendment allocating $250,000 in the City of Annapolis FY 2026 to establish the First-Time Homeownership Assistance Fund. The program will provide prospective buyers who’ve completed a first-time homeownership course with down payment and closing cost assistance.

I will leave proud of my work and time on the city council. 

DaJuan Gay