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County Council Member, Montgomery County

At Large

Vote for
4
Term
4 years
Candidates
5
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county council member votes on county laws, the budget, taxes and land-use decisions.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Marc ElrichDemocratic

    • Supports higher commercial property taxes like Northern Virginia's

  • Scott Evan GoldbergDemocratic

    • Opposes raising property and income taxes and fees

  • Karla SilvestreDemocratic

    • Supports reviewing Blueprint spending to protect the AAA bond rating

  • Sherwin WellsRepublican

    • Supports lowering property taxes on residents

  • Laurie-Anne SaylesDemocratic

    • Pledges to cut non-essential discretionary spending

Public safety

  • Marc ElrichDemocratic

    • Supports civilian crisis intervention teams

  • Scott Evan GoldbergDemocratic

    • Pledges support for police, citing an officer shortage

  • Karla SilvestreDemocratic

    • Opposes police cooperation with ICE
    • Supports behavioral health response teams and de-escalation training

  • Sherwin WellsRepublican

    • Supports school resource officers and clear backpacks in schools

  • Laurie-Anne SaylesDemocratic

    • Supports youth programs and mental health interventions

Housing

  • Marc ElrichDemocratic

    • Supports raising the required share of affordable units

  • Scott Evan GoldbergDemocratic

    • Proposes a $150 million Housing Production Fund and permitting deadlines
    • Supports building housing on government-owned land

  • Karla SilvestreDemocratic

    • Supports starter homes, accessory apartments and senior housing
    • Supports speeding up development approvals

  • Sherwin WellsRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Laurie-Anne SaylesDemocratic

    • Co-sponsored rent stabilization legislation
    • Supports the O.P.E.N. zoning amendment to speed approvals

Economy & jobs

Roads & infrastructure

Health & human services

  • Marc ElrichDemocratic

    • Proposed FY27 budget focused on health care and homelessness

  • Scott Evan GoldbergDemocratic

    • Proposes a single case manager for social services

  • Karla SilvestreDemocratic

    • Supports safety-net clinics, affordable childcare and food programs

  • Sherwin WellsRepublican

    • Supports more funding for food assistance programs

  • Laurie-Anne SaylesDemocratic

    • Led $1 million emergency fund for health services
    • Supports expanding behavioral health and crisis services

Government & transparency

  • Marc ElrichDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Scott Evan GoldbergDemocratic

    • Proposes Inspector General reviews to eliminate outdated programs

  • Karla SilvestreDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Sherwin WellsRepublican

    • Proposes same-day expedited permitting
    • Proposes performance reviews of county positions and departments

  • Laurie-Anne SaylesDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.