Hi, I’m Shavonne Hedgepeth, and I’m running for Congress because systems should work for everyone. Too often in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, we see what happens when they don’t: schools underfunded, healthcare too expensive to use, housing out of reach, and jobs that don’t pay enough to live on.
My own journey reflects the resilience of this community. It took me 17 years, five colleges, and three states to graduate — not because I lacked the aptitude, but because I encountered systemic barriers at every turn. I never yielded. I worked across industries, served in public institutions, and learned how government can lift people up — or hold them back. That’s why I know that when systems are broken, they don’t just fail on paper — they fail people.
Fixing these systems isn’t just about passing bills. I believe communication is governance. If people don’t see progress, feel it in their daily lives, and hear clearly how decisions affect them, then democracy has failed them. Leadership isn’t just casting votes in Washington — it’s making sure the message, and the results reach the people they’re meant to serve.
That’s the standard I hold myself to accountable, transparent, and human-centered governance. I will fight for dependable healthcare, fair budgets, equitable infrastructure, immigrant dignity, and an accountable democracy — and I will also make sure those victories are communicated clearly and consistently back home.
Because progress isn’t real until the people can feel it.
Because Systems Should Work For Everyone
Our communities don’t need more slogans or empty promises — they need systems that work. Families in Prince George’s County and across the country deserve schools that prepare their children for the future, healthcare that doesn’t bankrupt them, housing that’s affordable and stable, and jobs that actually pay enough to live on.
But too often, the very systems meant to support us are underfunded, mismanaged, or tilted toward special interests. That’s not by accident, it’s by design. And it can be fought for and redesigned.
My campaign is about rewriting the rules so fairness isn’t a privilege, it’s the standard. I’m fighting for the people of Prince George’s and Montgomery to build systems that are accountable, transparent, and rooted in equity, where every tax dollar is traceable, every voice is heard, and every family feels results in their everyday lives.
It’s not just about policy on paper, it’s about making sure progress reaches the people it’s meant to serve. I’ll close the gap between what Washington does and what our communities hear, so change isn’t hidden in headlines but felt in everyday life.
My campaign isn’t about giving one person power — it’s about putting power back into the hands of the people, not in the chaos of headlines.
Our Vision for Maryland’s 4th District
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Be part of the movement! Sign up to knock doors, phone bank, host a house party, or help in other ways. Together, we’ll make sure systems work for everyone.