Longtime Alderwoman Says Her Experience Makes Her The Top Annapolis Mayoral Candidate

Rhonda Pindell Charles thinks she's the most experienced candidate for Annapolis mayor. The longtime alderwoman used to be a prosecutor.

Jacob Baumgart,Patch Staff

Posted Wed, Sep 3, 2025 at 5:04 pm ET

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Patch invited all candidates for Annapolis mayor and City Council to complete a candidate questionnaire. We are posting their responses verbatim before the primary election on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

We will share all of our candidate profiles and election news at this link. More election information is posted here.

Name: Rhonda Pindell Charles

Elected Office Sought: Mayor of Annapolis

Political Party: Democrat

Profession: City of Annapolis Alderwoman, Ward 3; Attorney

Age On Election Day: 71

Website: Rhonda4Mayor.com

Facebook: Friends of Rhonda Pindell Charles

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

I sincerely believe I am the most qualified candidate for the position of Mayor. I have served nearly 12 years on the City Council as the Alderwoman representing Ward 3, Greater Parole, and in that capacity, have had a greater exposure over these consecutive years to the issues that the City of Annapolis has faced and will continue to face over the next 4 years, and how to successfully resolve those issues through public policy, programs, and legislation. I have served as Acting Mayor in the Pantelides and Buckley administrations 9 times covering 67 days - the longest sting being 17 days. I have been an attorney since 1980.

I began my professional career as an attorney in the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Natural Resources. Then I served for over 20 years as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Office of the State's Attorney in Baltimore City, Juvenile Courts Division, where I served as both a prosecutor and supervisor, and then as a prosecutor in the Felony Family Violence Division. After retirement, I worked for the Anne Arundel County Health Department, and then the Anne Arundel County Public Schools. In total, over my lifetime, I have had 16 different jobs/careers (part time and full time). I have a BS in Business Administration from Morgan State University, and I am a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law. I am devoted to community, inclusivity and connectivity around the City, and to family, business, and faith based entities.

I am running for Mayor to offer my vision for the City, to serve all City residents, and to keep every resident, business, and visitor safe. I would do this in part by addressing strong public safety and environmental policy, programs, and legislation and inclusive community connection, and with guidance from the City's Comprehensive Plan 2040, including but not limited to the "small areas plans" and tree canopy goals.

If elected Mayor, for the first two years in office, in order to advance my vision for the City, I would waive the Mayor's salary and accept the salary of an Alderwoman. Based on current salaries, that amounts to roughly $200,000 in savings, which I intend would be invested back into the City to enhance funding availability for such policies, programs, and legislation. In all capacities, I have gained the necessary experience in public safety, environment, and business and economics to be the chief executive of the City of Annapolis and to have a successful administration.

How will you approach the planned construction of City Dock Park?

I have supported and will continue to support the planned construction at the City Dock, and as it continues to develop and unfold. It is widely considered necessary to address climate change, storm surges, flooding, sea level rise, and negative effects on the environment caused by gas emissions from too many vehicles in the area, and the negative effects on the preservation of our historic city. I agree that these conditions cannot continue over the long term without endangering the historic district, the viability of the residents and businesses there, and the City overall. I hope to improve free circulator transportation to and from the City Dock area for our residents who often are unable to get to the area and enjoy it.

How will you address crime in Annapolis?

I have served on the City's Public Safety Standing Committee since I was elected to office in December, 2013. I have served as chairwoman of that committee since 2017. During this time, I have developed excellent professional relationships with the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, and the Chief of the Office of Emergency Management. We meet regularly about safety issues facing the City. And we have a mutual respect for each other and the efforts we make to maintain public safety in the City.

I have been endorsed by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. That entity seeks and supports candidates for public office who will govern with gun safety in mind. That is what I intend to do. I would promote and advance causes relating to gun safety and gun control, such as periodic citywide gun give back efforts, which have been successful previously, banning assault weapons, bump stocks, and other rapid fire devices, banning ghost guns, unnecessary ammunition clips, safe storage of guns to prevent child access, opposing teachers carrying guns in school efforts, supporting education and training programs for those legally permitted to carry guns, supporting strong background checks in advance of gun purchases, supporting funding for more police recruiting and corresponding salaries and benefits, and supporting greater police presence in certain areas. I would also support programs which are aimed at reducing juvenile offenses.

How will you address affordable housing and public housing in Annapolis?

I am in agreement that the cost of living, including home ownership, in the City has become largely unaffordable except for a small amount of residents and prospective residents. For too many people, home ownership is not a reality. That is not acceptable.

I would work with the Departments of Planning and Zoning and Public Works, while reviewing our Comprehensive Plan's "small area plans", etc., to determine where accommodations can reasonably be made for increased housing stock. I would also assess possible rent control options.

I am open to studying the reasonableness of our current tax rate. I do believe that the City's current property tax rates are reasonably set in order to provide necessary services to the residents and businesses.

Regarding public housing, in addition to maintaining a respectful and continuing association with the Housing Authority, I would meet with the Housing Authority early in my administration and regularly to ensure that there is an understanding regarding maintaining the safety of all public housing units in the City, and would meet with the residents' associations, with applicable department directors and chiefs, to hear concerns and make improvements where possible to make living in public housing as respectful as it can be.

I am also considering adding to the City Council's agenda, once per month, as a separate part of the "Public Testimony/Comments" agenda item, a period entitled "Public Testimony/Comments, Public and Subsidized Housing" where residents (and others) from public and subsidized housing can testify before the Council.

How do you plan to balance development and historic preservation in the city?

I am a strong believer in historic preservation in the City of Annapolis and believe that compliance with the City Code and its adopted Historic District Design Guidelines is integral to maintaining the City's standing with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Overall, I endorse the current height and bulk restrictions in the Historic District. As I see it, at this point, I do not support any further rezoning in the Historic District or further development in the City Dock area, after completion of the existing and/or modified City Dock project, if the effect would impair the City's status and standing as a historic city, serve to negatively, in a significant manner, impact the environment, and serve to endanger the City's standing as a true colonial and historic town and its status as an excellent tourist destination.

The result of failure to adhere overall to historic preservation standards, which I would seek to avoid, could negatively affect the financial viability of the businesses in the City Dock, Main Street and Maryland Avenue and the City's economy overall.

How should Annapolis respond to the ongoing cuts to federal jobs and grants to local governments?

The City of Annapolis depends on the regular receipt of grants to support the provision of services to City residents. Losing grants would prevent and/or inhibit the City's ability to provide services which have often been funded with grants. Given the unpredictability of continuing to receive certain grant funds, the City will continue to research and seek new sources of grant funding to balance the possibility of existing sources of funding being frozen or otherwise unavailable. Fortunately, the City's grant sources are often state and privately based.

Regarding ongoing cuts to federal jobs, there is no study of which I am aware as to how this could affect the City. I am open to reviewing any such information. However, if I am elected Mayor, my intention is to maintain continuity in government so that the City retains all of its existing department directors and departmental chiefs and does not lose their valuable experience, institutional knowledge, and the successful management of their departments. This would include retention of those currently in exempt service positions with the City.

What else should voters know about you and your platform?

I am a life long resident of the City of Annapolis whose family has been in the Annapolis/Anne Arundel County area for three centuries - certainly, we are the embodiment of "historic preservation". I have experienced adverse challenges and life experiences during my lifetime. Nevertheless, I have been blessed to have had a great support system and education, and a successful professional career. There are many people living in the City who do not necessarily have the ability to overcome their life experiences. I hope to make life better and safer for them - and for everyone - with policies, programs, and legislation.

Among other efforts to make Annapolis safe for all residents, businesses, and visitors, I plan to:

1. have periodic Town Hall events at which City directors and chiefs and in some cases City employees will listen to the residents who describe any concerns so that the City government is more tuned in and able to address such concerns;

2. have regular meetings with the department directors and chiefs to learn where improvements in services may be necessary;

3. maintain and increase pedestrian, bike, trail, and public transportation connectivity within the City where possible to provide for inclusivity of all residents; and

4. maintain and repair sidewalks where necessary;

5. govern with honesty, integrity, respect for residents and businesses, transparency and accountability.

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