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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 raceEsther Wells is a certified public accountant from Montgomery Village who became interested in public service after observing how Montgomery County Public Schools moved to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which she called 'a disservice' to students such as her son with developmental disabilities. She previously ran for District 1 on the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2022 and received 40% of the vote before losing to Grace Rivera-Oven's 59.4%. Currently serving as President of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from University of Maryland and a Master's in Taxation from Northeastern University. If elected, she would be the first female, first Black female, and first immigrant County Executive.
Sources: Campaign website
Esther Wells will lead with measurable goals, fiscal stewardship, and transparent government—centered on affordability, accountability and private sector growth.
We don't have a revenue problem; we have a leadership problem and a discipline problem!
I will lead with integrity, listen with respect, and deliver with urgency—because the stakes are too high for politics as usual.
Esther brings integrity and competence to every conversation.
Source: voteforesther.com
Fiscal Discipline
Streamline Government Operations through automation, restructuring departments, implementing AI tools to reduce costs by estimated 20%, zero-based budgeting, and auditing the $7.6B Operating Budget to identify waste.
“Operating Budget Fiscal Discipline: Streamline Government Operations to include automation of services, restructure County departments & implement AI tools to reduce costs by an estimated 20%”
Economic Development
Reverse Montgomery County's reputation of being 'closed for business' to being the premier destination for global corporations and visionary developers.
“Open for Growth: Reverse Montgomery County's reputation of being 'closed for business' to being the premier destination for global corporations & visionary developers by offering speed, certainty, and world-class incentives.”
Housing Supply
Streamline permitting process, reduce annual property assessment increases by 50% of cap, protect single-family zoning, oppose 'by-right' high-density rezoning.
“Protect Single-Family Zoning by opposing 'by-right' high-density rezoning. Reduce restrictive zoning rules & regulatory costs that hinder new home construction.”
Public Safety
Fully staff police department to improve response times, enhance officer wellness resources, restore funding for School Resource Officers in MCPS.
“Prioritize fully staffing our police department to improve response times. Restore funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) in MCPS to provide crisis support and safety during emergencies.”
Education
Redirect focus toward 'Student First' policies, ensure budget increases translate into classroom success rather than administrative growth.
“Improve Outcomes for Students: Redirect focus toward 'Student First' policies, ensuring budget increases translate into classroom success rather than administrative growth.”
Energy Policy
Champion a mix of safe, affordable and reliable energy sources. Block or weaken all-electric energy mandates to protect property owners from high compliance costs.
“Eliminate Energy Mandates: Block or weaken all-electric energy mandates to protect property owners from high compliance costs & penalties.”
Bethesda Magazine reports that Wells became interested in public service when Montgomery County Public Schools moved to virtual learning during COVID-19, which she called 'a disservice' to students such as her son with developmental disabilities. She told Bethesda Today she felt compelled to run for executive this year to represent the 'silent majority' of county residents who support her platform of fiscal responsibility and a pro-growth environment for businesses.
“We don't have a revenue problem; we have a leadership problem and a discipline problem!”
Source“Open for Growth: Reverse Montgomery County's reputation of being 'closed for business' to being the premier destination for global corporations & visionary developers”
Source“Protect Single-Family Zoning by opposing 'by-right' high-density rezoning. Reduce restrictive zoning rules & regulatory costs that hinder new home construction.”
Source“Prioritize fully staffing our police department to improve response times. Restore funding for School Resource Officers (SROs) in MCPS.”
Source“Redirect focus toward 'Student First' policies, ensuring budget increases translate into classroom success rather than administrative growth.”
Source