Tara Jackson on permanently seeking state’s attorney position: ‘I won’t rule it out’

by William J. Ford, Maryland Matters
June 18, 2025

A day before she’s to be sworn in as interim Prince George’s County state’s attorney, Tara H. Jackson summarized her philosophy Tuesday.

“My philosophy is simple. I will always try to do the right thing, to seek truth, to uphold the law and to pursue justice,” Jackson said during a briefing Tuesday at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo.

Jackson was picked by the county’s circuit court judges from four applicants seeking to replace Aisha Breveboy, who leaves the state’s attorney job to be sworn in Wednesday as the new county executive.

It’s the second straight interim role for Jackson, who was serving as  the county’s chief administrative officer when then-County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) was elected last fall to the U.S. Senate. Under the county charter, the chief administrative officer steps in when there’s vacancy in the county executive’s office, and Jackson has been serving in that role for about six months now.

Jackson immediately said she was not interested in running for the permanent county executive job. But state’s attorney, which she calls a return “to my roots,” is different.

When asked Tuesday if she might run for state’s attorney in the 2026 election, Jackson said, “Let me get into the job, first. I won’t rule it out.”

Jackson noted that she began her legal career as an assistant state’s attorney in the office, where Alsobrooks also worked as the first full-time assistant state’s attorney to handle domestic violence cases.

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After eight years in private practice, Jackson returned to the county as principal deputy state’s attorney and then deputy county attorney.

“I understand the job of state’s attorney and the importance of the office to individuals in our community,” she said Tuesday.

County Councilmember Wanika Fisher had indicated an interest in pursuing the interim state’s attorney appointment, but released a statement Monday morning saying she would not seek the temporary job. Fisher cited the cost of a special election to fill her District 2 council seat if she moved into the state’s attorney job now. She estimated such a race could cost $500,000 to $800,000.

But Fisher did say she plans to run for state’s attorney in 2026 — when she could face Jackson.

Jackson takes over as the county police department faces the possible loss of Chief Malik Aziz, whois a finalist for the same position in Phoenix.

“In whatever he chooses to pursue, I wish him well,” Jackson said.

If Aziz leaves, Jackson said she would hope to see a replacement “who has the same philosophy as I do. We want to pursue justice. We just don’t want to lock up folks. We’re not just trying to put people in jail. We want due process to be the rule of the day.”

An email Tuesday from the Maryland Judiciary said Jackson will be sworn in during a “closed event” Wednesday.

So will Braveboy, her state’s attorney predecessor, whose private swearing-in as county executive Wednesday will be followed by an inauguration ceremony at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center in College Park on Thursday and “An Evening with Braveboy” Friday at Metro Points Hotel in New Carrollton.

Braveboy thanked Jackson’s service as interim county executive and welcomed her as interim state’s attorney.

“Tara Jackson is an outstanding Prince Georgian and public servant who stepped up during a time of transition to keep the county government operating,” Braveboy said in a statement Tuesday. “I’ve no doubt the county will be well-served by her as interim State’s Attorney.”

Alsobrooks also praised Jackson’s work in prosecuting crimes such as homicides, sexual assaults and gun cases in her previous turn in the state’s attorney’s office.

“As State’s Attorney, I know Tara will be tough, fair, and will run that office with the highest level of professionalism and integrity,” Alsobrooks said in a statement. “I am confident Prince George’s County will be safer on day one.”

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