UMD Student Aims to Make History in College Park City Council Race

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Gannon Sprinkle, a 20-year-old University of Maryland (UMD) junior, announced Monday his candidacy for the College Park City Council, aiming to become the first undergraduate student to hold the position. The special election, set for March 11, follows the vacancy of the District 3 seat after a councilmember stepped down in December 2024.

“On the City Council, I will work tirelessly to bridge the gap between student residents and long-term residents,” Sprinkle said in his campaign announcement. “I’ve worked closely with the current mayor and council, and I’ll be ready on day 1 to deliver results for District 3.”

From June 2023 to May 2024, Sprinkle served as deputy student liaison to the City Council, a role he was selected for by a committee that included Denise Mitchell, two City Council members, and two student representatives. In this capacity, he participated in council meetings and collaborated with city staff, focusing on student housing issues.

During his tenure, Sprinkle served on the Needs-Based Student Housing Subsidy Subcommittee, where he helped develop a groundbreaking housing assistance program. The initiative allocates $150,000 in subsidies to alleviate housing costs for low-income student residents, marking a significant step in addressing affordability challenges in the area.

The District 3 seat has been vacant since Jan. 8, 2025, creating an opportunity for Sprinkle to make history. If elected, he would bring a unique perspective as a student representative, advocating for policies that benefit both the university community and long-term residents of College Park.

The special election on March 11 will determine who fills the vacant seat, with Sprinkle positioning himself as a candidate ready to address pressing local issues from day one.