Meet the candidates running for mayor of Cambridge: Lajan Cephas
CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Cambridge voters will choose their next mayor come October. Three candidates are in the race, and this week WMDT is highlighting each individual, in alphabetical order.
Lajan Cephas
Lajan Cephas is the current President of the Cambridge Commissioners. She has also served as interim mayor and once owned a small transportation company in Cambridge, which she later sold. Cephas is a graduate of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy. She served as a correctional officer drill instructor at Wor-Wic Community College, and as a correctional officer at Dorchester County Detention Center.
Most of all though, Cephas says she has tender ties to the City.
“I’m all about the community, and I’m all about engaging,” Cephas said. “I’m born and raised in Cambridge. The Cephas name is a very well-known name. The mayor of Hurlock is actually my cousin—Mayor Charles Cephas. So, I have very deep roots here in Cambridge.”
Waterfront Top of Mind
Cephas says that bringing waterfront development across the finish line is the first issue to tackle if elected.
“There’s been a lot of fighting on this waterfront development—unnecessary fighting on this development—because I believe we all ultimately want this development to happen. We’re just having conflicts regarding how to make that happen,” Cephas said.
And, completing that project could be key in attracting some of the millions of drivers who travel on the Route 50 corridor every year, Cephas says.
“In order to give the best presentation possible, we have to unify and we have to make this development happen,” Cephas said.
Caring for Community
Away from the waterfront, Cephas says the City needs to provide more access to resources for youth, the elderly, and the international community.
“We can push this vision forward of ‘One Cambridge,'” said Cephas. “It’s about unifying and it’s about creating common sense solutions to the problems we all face. And, it’s about making sure that we all know that all of our concerns matter.”
And, barriers blocking safe, affordable, and accessible housing are some of the biggest reasons that people get left behind, Cephas says. Longboat Estates is one neighborhood where she’s hoping to help break through.
“They have concerns with how trees were planted many years ago. That’s created a lot of obstacles to the sidewalks,” Cephas said. “And, I believe there are also issues with flooding in that neighborhood. So, it’s all about meeting with the residents and figuring out, ‘What matters to you?'”
Pushing for Positive Policing
One way that Cephas says the City is already leading, though, is how Cambridge Police Chief Justin Todd has rolled out community policing. The youth curfew was a key part of that, says Cephas, who sponsored the legislation.
“It wasn’t about punishing the youth; it was more about giving parents a tool because let’s be real—some parents struggle with raising their children,” Cephas said. “It’s about having a police department that cares and is willing to engage the youth, and then transfer that information over to the local CARES team, so we can connect resources to families, which is actually what we’ve been doing,” Cephas said.
Looking Ahead
Cephas served as interim mayor when opponent Andrew Bradshaw resigned in 2022 amid criminal charges, of which he was eventually convicted. Cephas has also faced legal challenges, as she was charged of second-degree assault last year. That charge was later dismissed.
However, Cephas says her track record and dedication to the community she calls home is what sets her apart. She says she is energized and ready to continue delivering for the people of Cambridge.
“It’s about making sure that everyone knows that they have a seat at the table,” Cephas said. “And, I guarantee that they’re going to have a seat at the table with me as mayor. I have a record of doing that.”
The Cambridge mayoral election will take place on October 19th. WMDT will continue its series with the candidates on Thursday, where viewers will meet LaShon Foster.
