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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 raceEvan Glass is a Montgomery County Councilmember serving as an At-Large member who first became history in 2018 as the first openly gay man elected to the Council, now entering his second term while running for County Executive. He grew up with his single mother in New York and became the first in his family to earn a college degree from American University before choosing Montgomery County as his home 26 years ago. Glass spent 12 years as a CNN journalist covering Congress and presidential campaigns, also serving as a contractor for the Department of Veterans Affairs and executive director of Gandhi Brigade Youth Media. He is running to replace County Executive Marc Elrich who cannot run again due to term limits, positioning himself as a progressive candidate who knows how to make progress while facing off against Democratic colleagues Will Jawando and Andrew Friedson in a blue margin race.
Sources: Campaign website
"I'm running for County Executive because Montgomery County is at a crossroads. We need to revamp our economy, improve our schools, and fight back against Donald Trump's harmful agenda. I believe that we can only make real progress when we all work together."
"Montgomery County has eliminated the gender pay gap for all new county employees."
"I'm running because everything we care about is under attack. Donald Trump is dismantling the federal workforce, rounding up our immigrant neighbors, cutting Medicaid, rolling back environmental policies, and eroding civil rights."
"Incredibly proud that the ICE Out Act passed the Montgomery County Council!"
Source: evanglass.com
Economic Opportunity
Glass wants to strengthen life sciences and biotech sector, reform permitting process for small businesses, ensure workforce training availability, and championed the Make Office Vacancy Extinct Act which helped dozens of companies relocate or expand in its first year.
“"I know that we need to expand economic opportunities for all residents. That's why I established the Council's Economic Development Committee and championed the Make Office Vacancy Extinct (MOVE) Act, which, in its first year, helped dozens of companies relocate to or expand within Montgomery County. As County Executive, I will strengthen our life sciences and biotech sector, reform the permitting process to make it easier for small businesses, and ensure that workforce training is available for those seeking employment."”
Housing Affordability
Glass passed legislation reducing cost to build new housing and providing records level of funding to build more affordable housing with options for families to stay together, middle class residents to afford, and low income residents to live near their jobs.
“"It is too expensive to live in Montgomery County. Our kids and grandkids cannot afford to live in the communities where they grew up. Many of our seniors would like to downsize, but there aren't many available options. That's why I passed legislation reducing the cost to build new housing and providing records level of funding to build even more affordable housing. We need more housing options for families to stay together, for middle class residents to afford, and for low income residents to live near their jobs. If we want more housing that is affordable, we need more housing."”
Public Safety
Glass supports police, fire and rescue agencies, doubled the size of the police department's Cadet Program which is the most diverse program within law enforcement to strengthen community policing while reflecting Montgomery County's diversity.
“"It's important that we feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods. Public safety is a core responsibility of local government. When communities are safe, schools thrive and economies grow. I have consistently supported our police, fire and rescue agencies and personnel. I am proud to have doubled the size of the police department's Cadet Program, which is the most diverse program within law enforcement, recognizing that we can strengthen our community policing efforts while also reflecting Montgomery County's diversity."”
Government Ethics
As a former CNN journalist, Glass championed efforts to protect democracy by increasing transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making in Montgomery County, led effort to expand Council from 9 to 11 members for better representation.
“"As a former CNN journalist, I have championed efforts to protect our democracy by increasing transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making in Montgomery County. I led the effort to expand the size of the Council from 9 to 11 to better represent Montgomery County's growing population. This initiative resulted in the most diverse and representative Council in the County's history — including a majority-female body. Most importantly, I am running a people-powered campaign — rejecting corporate donations, PAC contributions, and special interest money by participating in the county's public financing system."”
Immigration
Glass introduced legislation aimed at preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement from opening a private detention center in Montgomery County.
“"Evan Glass introduced legislation aimed at preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from opening a private detention center in the county."”
External coverage describes Glass as branding himself as a progressive candidate who knows how to make progress while leaning on his legislative record of pushing for equitable pay, safer streets, and a cleaner environment. The Baltimore Banner notes he is facing off against two Democratic colleagues in what will be a tough political battle fought in blue margins, with at least one competitor making similar pledges on regulatory reform. Bethesda Magazine reports Glass criss-crossing the county to energize voters after his campaign qualified for public financing and rejected corporate money.
“"We need to revamp our economy, improve our schools"”
Source“"It is too expensive to live in Montgomery County. Our kids and grandkids cannot afford to live in the communities where they grew up."”
Source“"It's important that we feel safe in our homes and neighborhoods. Public safety is a core responsibility of local government."”
Source“"As an environmental and social justice advocate, Evan successfully led the initiative to make public buses fare-free for everyone, expanded composting programs"”
Source“"I am running a people-powered campaign — rejecting corporate donations, PAC contributions, and special interest money by participating in the county's public financing system."”
Source“"I know that we need to expand economic opportunities for all residents. That's why I established the Council's Economic Development Committee"”
Source“"Evan Glass introduced legislation aimed at preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from opening a private detention center in the county."”
Source“"As a former CNN journalist, I have championed efforts to protect our democracy by increasing transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making in Montgomery County."”
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