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County Council Member · District 3 · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
County Council Members serve as the legislative branch of county government, passing local laws and approving the annual budget that funds public schools, roads, and emergency services. They set local tax rates and make final decisions on land use and zoning, which determines where new homes and businesses can be built. This office is responsible for prioritizing how your tax dollars are spent and managing the long-term growth and infrastructure of your community.
View all candidates in this raceAllison Eriksen is a former USAID worker who served as an international disaster preparedness and response expert until being terminated in March 2025 as part of the Trump administration's dismantling of the agency. Originally from central California, she has lived in the Washington DC area for 15 years and Gaithersburg for five years. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Global and International Studies from UC Davis and a Master's in International Development from American University. Her career included Peace Corps service in rural Tanzania, work at LearnServe International, and direct USAID roles managing millions of dollars in federal funds across Pakistan, Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and wartime Ukraine. She is running for Montgomery County Council District 3 in the 2026 Democratic primary election.
Sources: Campaign website
Allison's recent career was focused on helping communities around the world prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, most often by working with local governments to ensure that communities get the resources that they need. She wants to bring this expertise to Montgomery County, where she sees increasing hazards in her home county, and help from the national government less likely to arrive in time to help.
I'll use my skills as a disaster responder to make sure that the residents of Montgomery County are prepared for an unknown future or the next disaster that hits – natural or not. That could mean preparing for a loss of FEMA support from a natural disaster.
She believes that community preparedness is critical to save lives and that this will be more important as the federal government becomes less likely to provide disaster response resources or recovery funds.
Source: allisonformoco.com
Disaster Preparedness
Allison will use her skills as a disaster responder to make sure that the residents of Montgomery County are prepared for whatever it might face, including natural disasters and federal dysfunction. She believes community preparedness is critical to save lives.
“She wants to bring this expertise to Montgomery County, where she sees increasing hazards in her home county, and help from the national government less likely to arrive in time to help.”
Safer Streets
Safe streets are important for everyone, but particularly impact children and youth. Maryland is in the top 10 states for pedestrian fatalities among youth ages 12-19 and drivers have hit 292 teens in Montgomery County.
“We need to promote safe driving practices, ensure equitable access to public transit, and create safe environments for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Supporting Working Families
As a former federal worker herself, Allison understands the strain on current and recent federal workers in our community. Other displaced workers struggle with the same issues in accessing services and finding employment.
“She aims to work with the council to ensure that our county can continue to benefit from the talented individuals who work and live here.”
Community Safety
Allison will work to ensure that all of our neighbors are safe from violence, no matter their race, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Safety comes in many forms, and Allison will work to ensure that all of our neighbors are safe from violence, no matter their race, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other aspect of their identity.”
Housing Affordability
She wants to make more housing available quickly and build more housing so families aren't priced out of the county.
“It also means building more housing, so families aren't priced out of the county.”
Healthcare Access
Making sure healthcare is available and that abortion remains accessible so that families can plan their futures and protect their health.
“It means making sure healthcare is available and that abortion remains accessible so that families can plan their futures and protect their health.”
Bethesda Magazine reports Eriksen was notified of her termination via email in February 2025 when her contract with USAID was cancelled as part of President Trump's dismantling of the agency. She officially filed to run for the District 3 seat on October 17, making her the first Democratic candidate to do so. The Montgomery Perspective notes she established a traditional campaign finance committee last month and sent out statements about why she decided to run after federal job cuts impacted communities.
“Allison will work to ensure that all of our neighbors are safe from violence, no matter their race, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Source“It also means building more housing, so families aren't priced out of the county.”
Source“We need to promote safe driving practices, ensure equitable access to public transit, and create safe environments for pedestrians and cyclists.”
Source“It means making sure healthcare is available and that abortion remains accessible so that families can plan their futures and protect their health.”
Source“Allison will use her skills as a disaster responder to make sure that the residents of Montgomery County are prepared for whatever it might face - natural or not.”
Source