Largo woman running as write-in against Currie

Jennifer Lowery-Bell, 63, a Largo community activist and former nurse now studying law, said she stood by as state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's) ran unopposed in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary for his fifth term in the Maryland state Senate.

It was just 13 days after Currie, 73, was indicted on charges that he took more than $245,000 in bribes to do favors for a grocery chain.

Lowery-Bell was troubled by the indictment, but said she was busy helping other candidates, and running for office herself was not particularly on her mind.

But after Currie received more than 10,000 votes, Lowery-Bell said she had had enough. The Democrat filed to run against Currie as a write-in candidate in November, hoping to represent the 25th district, which includes District Heights, Forestville, Largo, Mitchellville and Suitland.

Currie said in a brief phone interview that he was unaware of Lowery-Bell's plan. "I know nothing about it," he said.

He has pleaded not guilty to the 18-count indictment, which alleged that he helped Shoppers Food Warehouse for six years without disclosing his role to state officials or on ethics forms. The indictment said Currie aided the grocery chain in its efforts to sell liquor at one store, save money in the construction of another store and buy county-owned land.

Lowery-Bell said she decided to run for state Senate so that voters would have a choice, and she acknowledges she is a long shot.

"I know Sen. Currie deep in his heart has done a good job, but people are hurt and saddened by what has happened. He doesn't just represent himself, he represents thousands of people in the 25th District," she said.