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County Executive · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
The County Executive serves as the chief administrator of the county, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and enforcing laws passed by the County Council. This official proposes the annual budget that directs how local tax dollars are spent on services such as public schools, roads, and emergency response. The County Executive also has the power to appoint department heads and can sign or veto legislation affecting the entire county.
View all candidates in this raceAndrew Friedson is a Montgomery County Councilmember for District 1 who was first elected in 2018 as the youngest Councilmember in county history and became the youngest-ever Council President in December 2023. He currently chairs the Council's Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee and serves on the Health and Human Services Committee while also leading as Chair of the Council of Governments' Food & Agriculture Policy Committee. Friedson is seeking the Democratic nomination for County Executive in the June primary. According to campaign finance filings reported by Bethesda Magazine and The Banner in January 2026, his campaign raised more than $1 million in 2025—more than any other candidate in the race—and has amassed over $2 million since launching his campaign.
Sources: Campaign website
Andrew believes you cannot make Montgomery County more affordable by making it more expensive. With the costs of food, housing, utilities, and gas all surging, Montgomery County residents simply cannot afford another tax increase.
I'm running for County Executive to fulfill that potential and ensure that our brightest days are still before us. Together, we can reject the broken politics of division, distraction, and destruction and embrace our values by building a stronger, more inclusive county that works for everyone.
Andrew has been the consistent voice for fiscal discipline on the Council and has repeatedly pushed back against proposed tax hikes in 2020, 2023, 2025, and 2026. Increasing taxes every year is not a sustainable solution for our future.
Source: andrewfriedson.com
Fiscal Policy
Holding the line on taxes while managing tax dollars more efficiently and growing the local economy rather than asking residents to pay more each year
“Andrew believes you cannot make Montgomery County more affordable by making it more expensive. With the costs of food, housing, utilities, and gas all surging, Montgomery County residents simply cannot afford another tax increase.”
Housing
Spearheaded a $100 million revolving Housing Production Fund, a $50 Million Affordable Housing Preservation Fund and has sponsored legislation to incentivize mixed-income communities, smart growth housing near transit and colocation of affordable housing on public land and at places of worship
“Andrew spearheaded a $100 million revolving Housing Production Fund, a $50 Million Affordable Housing Preservation Fund and has sponsored legislation to incentivize mixed-income communities, smart growth housing near transit and colocation of affordable housing on public land and at places of worship.”
Economic Development
Introduced Montgomery County's largest individual economic development package, the New Jobs, Opportunities, and Business Support (J.O.B.S.) Initiative, securing $20 million to attract new business investments, promote innovation, and support historically underserved communities and underrepresented entrepreneurs
“Andrew successfully introduced Montgomery County's largest individual economic development package, the New Jobs, Opportunities, and Business Support (J.O.B.S.) Initiative, securing $20 million to attract new business investments, promote innovation, and support historically underserved communities and underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
Immigration
Ensuring local government never works with ICE for immigration enforcement while expanding access to legal services and launching mobile health clinics for children and families
“Andrew has consistently supported our immigrant community, including expanding access to legal services, launching mobile health clinics for children and families, and ensuring our local government never works with ICE for immigration enforcement.”
Climate/Environment
Co-authored the County's largest-ever climate investment with the Montgomery County Green Buildings Now Act and the first of its kind Green Building Tax Credit program that reduces energy consumption, especially in historically underserved areas
“Andrew also co-authored the County's largest-ever climate investment with the Montgomery County Green Buildings Now Act and the first of its kind Green Building Tax Credit program that reduces energy consumption, especially in historically underserved areas.”
Education
Led the effort to include transparency and accountability metrics in the budget for public schools because students, educators, families, and taxpayers deserve nothing less
“While funding our public schools at record levels, Andrew led the effort to include transparency and accountability metrics in the budget for the first time ever because our students, educators, families, and taxpayers deserve nothing less.”
Public Safety
Led efforts to establish and expand the Nonprofit Security Grants program that protects faith-based institutions and nonprofits at risk of experiencing hate crimes so residents can freely and securely learn, live, and worship
“Andrew led efforts to establish and expand the Nonprofit Security Grants program that protects faith-based institutions and nonprofits at risk of experiencing hate crimes so residents can freely and securely learn, live, and worship.”
Government Ethics
Advocates for transparency in County government and has led efforts to strengthen financial oversight and the County ethics law, expand the Office of Inspector General, improve the budget process, and reform the County's property tax system
“Andrew advocates for transparency in County government and has led efforts to strengthen financial oversight and the County ethics law, expand the Office of Inspector General, improve the budget process, and reform the County's property tax system.”
Bethesda Magazine reported on January 22, 2026 that Friedson's campaign raised over $1 million in 2025 for his county executive bid—more than any other candidate in the race. The Banner noted he has more than $1.8 million cash on hand and declined the county's public financing option unlike competitors Will Jawando and Evan Glass who accepted it.
“While funding our public schools at record levels, Andrew led the effort to include transparency and accountability metrics in the budget for the first time ever because our students, educators, families, and taxpayers deserve nothing less.”
Source“Andrew spearheaded a $100 million revolving Housing Production Fund, a $50 Million Affordable Housing Preservation Fund and has sponsored legislation to incentivize mixed-income communities, smart growth housing near transit and colocation of affordable housing on public land and at places of worship.”
Source“Andrew led efforts to establish and expand the Nonprofit Security Grants program that protects faith-based institutions and nonprofits at risk of experiencing hate crimes so residents can freely and securely learn, live, and worship.”
Source“Andrew also co-authored the County's largest-ever climate investment with the Montgomery County Green Buildings Now Act and the first of its kind Green Building Tax Credit program that reduces energy consumption, especially in historically underserved areas.”
Source“Andrew believes you cannot make Montgomery County more affordable by making it more expensive. With the costs of food, housing, utilities, and gas all surging, Montgomery County residents simply cannot afford another tax increase.”
Source“Andrew successfully introduced Montgomery County's largest individual economic development package, the New Jobs, Opportunities, and Business Support (J.O.B.S.) Initiative, securing $20 million to attract new business investments, promote innovation, and support historically underserved communities and underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
Source“Andrew has consistently supported our immigrant community, including expanding access to legal services, launching mobile health clinics for children and families, and ensuring our local government never works with ICE for immigration enforcement.”
Source“Andrew has consistently supported our immigrant community, including expanding access to legal services, launching mobile health clinics for children and families, and ensuring our local government never works with ICE for immigration enforcement.”
Source“Andrew advocates for transparency in County government and has led efforts to strengthen financial oversight and the County ethics law, expand the Office of Inspector General, improve the budget process, and reform the County's property tax system.”
Source