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County Executive · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
This candidate has withdrawn. Information below reflects their filing at the time of withdrawal.
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 raceCeleste Iroha is a Silver Spring resident and registered medical assistant who filed with the state elections board to run for Montgomery County Executive in 2026, becoming the first candidate to enter the race after incumbent Marc Elrich was term-limited by voters' passage of a term-limit referendum. She describes herself as a daughter of immigrant parents and a veteran's child, emphasizing her background as a healthcare professional with eight years of experience as a Registered Medical Assistant and Community Health Worker in the county. Her campaign focused on middle-class jobs, investing in schools, protecting the environment, preventing homelessness, and healthcare equity according to reports from her website and news coverage. In October 2025, she announced she was dropping out of the race due to personal health issues involving a granuloma on her vocal cords and financial instability facing eviction. She stated that as of right now, her health comes first and she might be moving from Montgomery County soon because of how expensive everything is.
Sources: Campaign website
Healthcare
Her chief platform plank focused on healthcare equity and her background as a medical professional.
“"chief plank in her platform was healthcare equity" ... "I am a healthcare professional and have been one for the past 8 years"”
Education
She campaigned on investing in schools to support community development.
“"campaigning on investing in schools... according to her website."”
Environment
Protecting the environment was listed as a top campaign issue.
“"protecting the environment and preventing homelessness among other issues, according to her website."”
Housing
She addressed financial instability and housing insecurity during her candidacy.
“"I can't take care of anything else at the moment if I'm not my best self." ... "facing eviction."”
Economic Development
She advocated for middle-class jobs and affordable living costs.
“"Her top campaign issues listed on her website are middle-class jobs..." ... "how expensive everything is."”
External coverage reports that Iroha withdrew from the County Executive race in October 2025, citing personal health concerns including a growth on her vocal cords following surgery. News outlets note she was facing eviction and considering moving due to high costs, while also highlighting her endorsement of Council Vice President Will Jawando for the executive position. Her candidacy was noted as significant because she was the first candidate to file in a race where the incumbent could not run again.
“"chief plank in her platform was healthcare equity" ... "I am a healthcare professional and have been one for the past 8 years"”
Source“"campaigning on investing in schools... according to her website."”
Source“"protecting the environment and preventing homelessness among other issues, according to her website."”
Source“"facing eviction." ... "how expensive everything is."”
Source“"Her top campaign issues listed on her website are middle-class jobs..."”
Source