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County Council Member (At-Large) · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
At-large county council members represent the entire county rather than a specific geographic district, making decisions that affect all residents. They are responsible for passing local laws, overseeing land use and zoning, and approving the county budget which determines funding for schools, roads, and public safety. This office is vital because these members balance the needs of the whole community to set the county’s long-term priorities and tax rates.
View all candidates in this raceMatt Losak is a 64-year-old Silver Spring resident who serves as Executive Director of Montgomery County Renters Alliance, an organization he co-founded after facing eviction in 2010. He brings three decades of service including Peace Corps work teaching English in Lesotho (1985-1988), senior communications roles during the Clinton Administration, and extensive civic leadership chairing Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board for three consecutive terms. Losak filed to run as a Democrat for one of four at-large seats on Montgomery County Council in February 2026 after years of urging from community advocates, housing organizers, union members, and neighbors. His approach is described as practical and coalition-minded: pro-business where it counts, protective of tenants where it matters, grounded in the belief that stable housing is the foundation for good schools, strong local businesses, and communities where people know their neighbors.
Sources: Campaign website
"I filed with great reluctance — but after years of urging from fellow advocates, I believe I have the experience and the skill to serve Montgomery County from the inside."
"A responsible landlord is only going to raise your rent enough to maintain the profit margin, but not enough to gouge you out."
"The trauma begins when you are threatened with eviction. Evictions are the end of the road."
"Montgomery County is open for business. Streamline permitting, champion biotech and cybersecurity growth, and support the small businesses that anchor our communities."
Source: mattforcouncil.com
Housing & Renters' Rights
Defend rent stabilization, pass just-cause eviction protections, and expand affordable housing supply through smart zoning and responsible development
“"Defend rent stabilization, pass just-cause eviction protections, and expand the affordable housing supply through smart zoning and responsible development."”
Public Safety
Support a well-staffed professional police force rooted in community policing, youth programs, and public outreach backed by community oversight
“"Support a well-staffed, professional police force rooted in community policing, youth programs, and public outreach—backed by community oversight."”
Equality & Equity
No one's skin color, disability, or group association should predetermine access to social, political, and economic life of communities
“"No one's skin color, disability, or group association should predetermine access to the social, political, and economic life of our communities."”
Opposing Hate & Bigotry
Stand together against antisemitism, stereotyping, and conspiracy theories; support funds for places of worship; provide security, public forums, and truth to counter propaganda
“"Stand together against antisemitism, stereotyping, and conspiracy theories. Support funds to protect our places of worship. Provide security, public forums, and truth to counter the onslaught of propaganda."”
Transportation
Invest in rapid transit infrastructure and improve metro-access availability for seniors, disabled residents, and every resident who depends on public transit
“"Invest in rapid transit infrastructure and improve metro-access availability for seniors, the disabled, and every resident who depends on public transit."”
Environment
Protect Agriculture Zone, green space and parks while reducing reliance on polluting fuels to improve air quality, water quality, and lives of next generation
“"Protect and preserve our Agriculture Zone, green space and parks while reducing reliance on polluting fuels to improve air quality, water quality, and the lives of the next generation."”
Economic Development
Streamline permitting, champion biotech and cybersecurity growth, support small businesses that anchor communities
“"Montgomery County is open for business. Streamline permitting, champion biotech and cybersecurity growth, and support the small businesses that anchor our communities."”
Immigration
Support comprehensive immigration policy, protect due process, ensure county provides critical resources to keep immigrant neighbors stable and secure
“"Support comprehensive immigration policy, protect due process, and ensure Montgomery County provides critical resources to keep our immigrant neighbors stable and secure."”
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable
Support food security, emergency assistance, abused children and seniors, people with disabilities; ensure residents can live and age with dignity, affordability, stability
“"We must support food security, emergency assistance, abused children and seniors, and people with disabilities. Let's ensure that Montgomery County is a place where residents can live and age with dignity, affordability, and stability."”
Education
Strong support for teachers and staff, financial investment and accountability; Council must provide greater oversight and scrutiny of education operations to ensure public funds mean academic and social success for all students
“"Successful schools require strong support for teachers and staff, financial investment and accountability. With half the county's public dollars going to county schools, the Council must provide greater oversight and scrutiny of education operations to ensure that public funds mean academic and social success for all students."”
Democracy
Add local voices to national movement; act locally to protect Democracy, oppose lawlessness, recklessness, and abuse of power
“"No Kings in America! Add our local voices to the national movement. During these unprecedented times we must act locally to do our duty nationally to protect our Democracy, oppose lawlessness, recklessness, and abuse of power."”
Bethesda Magazine reports Losak filed as a Democrat for one of four at-large seats in February 2026 following an unexpected move after years of urging from community advocates. He told Bethesda Today he would seek to defend and strengthen rent stabilization policy while being strongly pro-business despite what people may think about his advocacy work. The field grew to 17 candidates including Losak, all Democrats, with three of the four at-large seats open in this election cycle.
“"Defend rent stabilization, pass just-cause eviction protections, and expand the affordable housing supply through smart zoning and responsible development."”
Source“"Support a well-staffed, professional police force rooted in community policing, youth programs, and public outreach—backed by community oversight."”
Source“"Invest in rapid transit infrastructure and improve metro-access availability for seniors, the disabled, and every resident who depends on public transit."”
Source“"Protect and preserve our Agriculture Zone, green space and parks while reducing reliance on polluting fuels to improve air quality, water quality, and the lives of the next generation."”
Source“"Montgomery County is open for business. Streamline permitting, champion biotech and cybersecurity growth, and support the small businesses that anchor our communities."”
Source“"Invest in rapid transit infrastructure and improve metro-access availability for seniors... We must support food security, emergency assistance, abused children and seniors"”
Source“"Support a well-staffed, professional police force rooted in community policing, youth programs, and public outreach—backed by community oversight."”
Source“"Montgomery County is open for business... support the small businesses that anchor our communities."”
Source