Esther Wells
Candidate for County Executive, Montgomery County
Background
- Occupation
- Certified public accountant (tax)
- Campaign website
- voteforesther.com
A Maryland certified public accountant with a master's degree in taxation, she has led tax strategy for multinational corporations. She won the June 2026 Republican primary for county executive.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Proposes reversing the 4.7% property tax rate increase
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“reverse the recent 4.7% property tax rate hike, cut the annual cap on property assessment increases by 50%”
Proposes cutting the county income tax rate to 2.25%
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will decrease the personal income tax rate from 3.2% to the state-mandated minimum of 2.25%”
Public safety
Supports restoring school resource officers in MCPS
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“restore funding for School resource Officers (SROs) in MCPS to provide crisis support and safety during emergencies”
Pledges to fully staff the county police department
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will prioritize fully staffing our police department to improve response times”
Education
Proposes scaling back Blueprint for Maryland's Future mandates
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“scale back Blueprint for education mandates that lack proven results”
Housing
Supports weakening rent control and keeping single-family zoning
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“protect Single-Family Zoning, weaken rent control laws to stimulate new construction”
Health & human services
Proposes phasing out the Working Families Income Supplement
She also proposes cutting the county fuel energy tax by 75%.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“phase-out the local Working Families Income Supplement, decrease the County Fuel Energy Tax by 75% to lower utility costs”
Proposes requiring job training and counseling for social services recipients
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“provide workforce development and financial counseling as requirements for receiving social services.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Esther Wells on them.
- Environment & parksNo documented position found.
All sources (4)
- 2026 Gubernatorial General Election Local Candidates List (all counties)
Election filing · Maryland State Board of Elections · elections.maryland.gov
- Certified ballots, 2026 Gubernatorial General Election: Montgomery County (every ballot style)
Election filing · Maryland State Board of Elections · elections.maryland.gov
- Jawando, Wells set for Montgomery County executive race in November
News coverage · WTOP News · wtop.com
- VOTE411 Voter Guide: Montgomery County Executive (candidate questionnaire)
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.