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County Council Member · District 4 · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
County Council Members serve as the legislative branch of county government, passing local laws and approving the annual budget that funds public schools, roads, and emergency services. They set local tax rates and make final decisions on land use and zoning, which determines where new homes and businesses can be built. This office is responsible for prioritizing how your tax dollars are spent and managing the long-term growth and infrastructure of your community.
View all candidates in this racePaula Bienenfeld is a candidate for the Montgomery County Council District 4, describing herself as a "different kind of Democrat" and a long-term resident of the county with nearly 35 years of local history. Her professional background is as an environmental and historic preservation consultant, which she pairs with decades of community advocacy on schools, traffic, and transparency. Bienenfeld’s platform emphasizes accountable leadership and real transparency, with a specific focus on protecting neighborhoods from what she terms "disruptive rezoning." She advocates for fiscal controls to reduce property taxes and administrative overhead, particularly within Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Her campaign is self-described as being supported by neighbors rather than developers or special interests.
Sources: Campaign website
Housing
Supports extending housing across the county while excepting the agricultural reserve to avoid hyperdensity in District 4, and opposes rezoning that favors investors.
“I support extending housing locations across the county (ag reserve excepted) rather than concentrating hyperdensity in our District 4 neighborhoods.”
Fiscal Policy
Aims to eliminate redundancies, decrease property taxes and fees, and reduce administrative overhead in the budget.
“I want to eliminate redundancies, push to attract high-target corporations to increase revenue, decrease property taxes and fees — including property recordation fees — to increase affordability, and decrease excessive administrative costs.”
Public Safety
Focuses on school safety coordination, protecting minority communities from illegal ICE arrests, increasing police presence, and improving pedestrian infrastructure.
“We have four key public safety issues I will work on: Schools... Minority communities under threat... General assaults... Dangerous roads and pedestrian deaths.”
Education
Advocates for free school meals, family-facing staff, and reducing MCPS administrative costs which she cites at 45 percent overhead.
“I support more family-facing school employees and programs... free school lunches, and free no-questions-asked meals for kids on weekends.”
In previous election cycles, Paula Bienenfeld ran as an Independent for District 4 and engaged in a legal challenge to get on the ballot after her petition signatures were initially rejected. For the 2026 primary, external reports list her as a Democratic contender for the same district seat. She is identified as one of several candidates vying for representation in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase regions.
“I support more family-facing school employees and programs, effective nonprofits, neighborhood outreach, medical support, free school lunches, and free no-questions-asked meals for kids on weekends”
Source“I support extending housing locations across the county (ag reserve excepted) rather than concentrating hyperdensity in our District 4 neighborhoods.”
Source“Police presence in all neighborhoods and commercial areas.”
Source“I want to eliminate redundancies, push to attract high-target corporations to increase revenue, decrease property taxes and fees”
Source“I support rebalancing employment with more jobs in the private sector and attracting businesses”
Source“Increase hardened bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure based on neighborhood knowledge of where it is needed.”
Source“Support communities to stop ICE's illegal arrests”
Source“I oppose disruptive rezoning that advantages investors but not our neighborhoods.”
Source“decrease property taxes and fees — including property recordation fees — to increase affordability”
Source