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County Council Member · District 1 · 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 raceReardon "Sully" Sullivan is a former chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party who served as the party's nominee for county executive in 2022 before launching his campaign for District 1 County Council seat on February 2, 2026. A longtime resident of Gaithersburg with a Bethesda address listed on his filing and a local business owner for more than 30 years, Sullivan created the "Stop the Spend" ballot initiative committee in 2024 to tie annual county spending to inflation rates. He is currently the only Republican candidate in the District 1 race, which includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Potomac. His campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, school safety, responsible growth, and accountability in government.
Sources: Campaign website
If you're like me, you're tired of politicians who show up at election time or for photo ops but fail to deliver real progress on the issues that matter most — Business Development, Taxes, Public Safety, Education, Energy Policy, and Transportation. Montgomery County deserves better.
As your County Council Member , my mission is simple: make life better for the people of Montgomery County .
I believe that growth must be responsible, transparent, and shaped by the people who live in the community.
Let's bring common sense and accountability back to Montgomery County.
Source: reardonsullivanformoco.com
Tax Policy
Opposes proposed FY27 budget tax increases totaling nearly 12% for average homeowners; supports Stop the Spend ballot question to limit spending growth to inflation rate
“Altogether, this could mean nearly a 12% increase for the average homeowner. Let that sink in – Can you afford a 12% tax increase.”
Land Use/Zoning
Opposes Zoning Text Amendment 25-2 which would allow multi-family housing in established single family neighborhoods; believes neighborhood fabric should be protected
“I believe that the fabric of our neighborhoods are worth protecting and that the voices of the residents that have invested in their homes matter.”
Public Safety
Supports restoring School Resource Officers in high schools; pledges to donate 30% of council salary to County Police Foundation and UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO union
“I firmly believe we must fully fund and support our police. Our schools need effective weapons detection and School Resource Officers in every high school to help protect students and staff.”
Education
Opposes closing Wootton High School; supports better education alternatives given declining school performance concerns
“The mission of MCPS is to provide a world-class education of our children. That mission should not be subordinated to large-scale bussing initiatives intended to engineer social diversity.”
Transportation
Supports restoring Little Falls Parkway to original design; proposes data-driven nodal analysis model to improve bus system efficiency given 28% capacity utilization
“A road that once moved traffic efficiently through Bethesda has become a daily bottleneck. Commutes are longer, congestion has increased, and traffic is spilling into nearby neighborhoods.”
Economic Development
Favors creating bigger corporate tax base to improve weak job and business growth in the county; opposes redlining due to County taxes and mandates
“Weak job and business growth”
Bethesda Magazine reports Sullivan stepped back from leading the "Stop the Spend" ballot initiative committee as he focuses on his District 1 council campaign. He was the force behind a successful term limits amendment for the county executive office and previously served as Montgomery County GOP chair. The district includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Potomac, where he is running against three Democratic candidates including current Board of Education member Julie Yang.
“Declining school performance and a need for better educational alternatives. I firmly believe we must fully fund and support our police. Our schools need effective weapons detection and School Resource Officers in every high school to help protect students and staff.”
Source“Zoning laws that will destroy neighborhoods. I believe that growth must be responsible, transparent, and shaped by the people who live in the community.”
Source“I support keeping Wootton open, restoring school resource officers in our high schools, and rejecting the school boundary study. I firmly believe we must fully fund and support our police.”
Source“Road Diets on Little Falls Parkway. The County Council decided to reconfigure Little Falls Parkway to serve special interests instead of listening to the planning board or the public.”
Source“I have been very clear about my support for reducing spending and keeping taxes in check. I anticipate a challenging race that will require my full attention and effort.”
Source“Weak job and business growth. By improving what he considers weak job and business growth in the county, Sullivan favors creating a bigger corporate tax base.”
Source“Zoning Text Amendment 25-2 which will allow developers to build multi-family housing in established single family neighborhoods by right. This will mean more traffic and parking issues, growing pressure on local infrastructure and changes to established single family neighborhoods.”
Source“A 6% property tax increase • Higher County piggyback taxes • Various additional fees across the board. Altogether, this could mean nearly a 12% increase for the average homeowner.”
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