Jocelyn Route Wins Competitive Primary for Register of Wills

Jocelyn Route, a former member of the Bladensburg Town Council and the Prince George’s County Board of Education, has secured a narrow victory in the primary election for the Register of Wills. This position, which oversees the administration of wills and estates, saw Route emerge from a competitive field of 11 candidates.

Route garnered approximately 20% of the votes, just enough to surpass law student Kayla Bryant, who was leading by about 1,200 votes on election day. Route's win comes despite Bryant's lack of endorsements and her deep understanding of the office gained from previous work there. Antwan C. Brown, endorsed by Governor Wes Moore, finished in third place with 13% of the vote.

Route, a social worker and mother of five, was first elected to the Bladensburg Town Council in 2019 and appointed to the school board in 2023. Her personal experiences, particularly following her father's death, motivated her to pursue the role of Register of Wills. She noted that her journey into estate planning began when she had to fulfill her father's wishes.

During her campaign, Route utilized her political connections, appearing on sample ballots alongside prominent leaders such as state Senators James Rosapepe and Malcolm Augustine. She also received a significant campaign contribution from County Executive Aisha Braveboy.

In her new role, Route aims to enhance public awareness about the probate process and provide resources for will registration and end-of-life planning. She envisions implementing a mobile unit to assist residents who face transportation challenges in accessing courthouse services.

Kayla Bryant, despite her loss, expressed her commitment to community outreach and estate planning. As a first-time candidate, she relied on her church community for support and emphasized the importance of having a genuine desire to serve in this role.

As Route prepares to take office, she is focused on bringing the Register of Wills office closer to the community and educating residents on essential estate matters.

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).