By Adam Pagnucco.
Part One summarized my methodology of consulting my source network on who they believe will most likely be the next county executive. Part Two featured a few general comments from sources. Part Three revealed my sources’ number eight pick (soon-to-be-former Congressman David Trone) and number seven pick (David Blair). Part Four revealed number six (Council Member Gabe Albornoz) and number five (Council Member Kate Stewart). Part Five revealed number four (Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno) and number three (Council Member Will Jawando). Let’s continue.
All comments come from my sources and not from me. Yes, I have opinions about all of these folks, but I am going to save them for future posts.
2. Council Member Evan Glass
Total votes: 66
First place votes: 6
Comments from sources
He’s the top at-large CM vote-getter, AKA popular. But I’m not sure how he would distinguish himself in what would surely be a crowded Exec race.
Has some progressive support, some moderate support but in a crowded field, he would not be most popular like he claims after 4 person At-Large race. Probably will run, and would be a top contender.
Would be the county’s first openly LGBTQ+ executive, which could excite voters. Won the most votes by far in the 2022 at-large primary, and more than the sitting executive. Very skilled at self-promotion too.
Evan is very smart, politically savvy, and with Dawn Luedtke, was one of the only councilmembers who immediately stood up to MCPS and demanded answers during the Beidleman scandal. His background as a journalist makes him intellectually curious as well as persistent in getting to the truth. I believe that he would both be a good executive in the sense of actually moving initiatives forward, and also be able to work with the Council.
Showed stronger leadership skills at council president than Friedson (and I was surprised with the lack of focus and preparation there). Shows compliance minded tendencies with the current executive branch. Could brand himself well moving forward.
Too guarded and sharp-edged to win against Friedson.
With the exception of maybe David Moon, no other elected official is better at understanding the current state of politics AND predicting where our politics are going. He’s consistently a solid vote getter in competitive fields. Put those 2 things together and it’s not hard to imagine him getting the mid-30’s as a percentage to win in a crowded field.
I think Evan Glass will run, and has a shot. He’s an at-large councilmember, very progressive. He’d get the Elrich crowd and the Takoma Park crowd, but might turn off some folks further Upcounty.
Good (not great) political skills. Slightly more pro-business. So he should be able to raise money. County-wide voting base.
Like Andrew Friedson, Evan has made no secret of his plans to run for CE. He likes to give all sides of every issue the impression that he’s with them, and a lot of people have figured this out, but he has managed to butter up some PTA leaders, environmental advocates, etc., so I would not discount his chances. The fact that he was the top at-large vote getter does not necessarily translate to success in a CE race, though – just ask George Leventhal and Hans Riemer.
He’s smart, he’s well-liked, he’s more of a cunning strategist than people realize, and he was the top vote getter (as he’ll be sure to tell you). He’s got one of the best chiefs of staff in the Council, and he’s gearing up.
Evan is excellent at listening to opinions that differ from his, but on too many contentious bills he is more likely to keep his position somewhat clouded until he sees which side is going to win.
He came in first in the last at-large race. Strong social media following and also a strong campaigner and fundraiser. He has significant policy wins that he can point to including the expansion of the County Council, which led to a majority female Council. He is also extremely politically calculated, which has helped him to stake out positions that do him the least harm politically. Some would say he has been too politically calculated and not demonstrated strong executive leadership skills. I see some parallels with Hans Riemer – long effective record, but not really able to develop a strong enough base to be successful.
1. Council Member Andrew Friedson
Total votes: 77
First place votes: 28
Comments from sources
He’s got the war chest and political savviness. In my opinion, he has the best shot.
Competent, well liked, policy oriented, honest, principled. Will have trouble with east county and progressives, but will be a top contender if not winner should he run.
Wants it bad, no love for Elrich so obvious when you see them “together” at events. I think Friedson has the best chance. Strong personality. Also has a strong voting community that will support him.
Not only do I think he stands the best chance of winning, I think he is the most competent of all likely candidates. He also is the only person I see on the horizon who can redirect Montgomery County’s feckless economic development efforts for more than a decade.
He would enter the 2026 race with the biggest war chest, and if elected would be the youngest county executive in 30 years, potentially drawing a real contrast with Marc if he isn’t term-limited out.
I would not say frontrunner but I would give the edge to Friedson because he will have plenty of money and is more likely to have a clear lane on the moderate side, while I don’t really see anyone who can recreate Marc’s coalition and seems like unions, CASA, DSA, etc. could splinter and support different candidates.
Large war chest, has been setting himself up for this moment for quite some time. Smart guy, had often been perceived as moderate. Has, since becoming council president, become so worrisome about the politics of things that it gets in the way of confident leadership. Organizationally not providing the best structure for Council during this time. Those two things are concerning for executive leadership at a time when we need someone with a hazmat suit and big shovel willing to come in and hit the reset button for the county.
Capable, likeable, skilled fund-raiser, strong supporter base.
Elections are about timing. Even in a Montgomery County Democratic primary, the pendulum is swinging from the far-far left toward the center left in 2026 compared to 2022. If this trend is reality in June of ’26, that’s Andrew Friedson’s lane. If the past of the 90’s is prologue, after a no-growth Executive, Democratic voters decided they preferred the strong leadership of Doug Duncan compared to the status quo of Potter/Adams.
He does the work, he has the money, he’s a great campaigner.
I think Andrew Friedson has the best chance at winning. While he’s “only” a district councilmember, he’s respected county-wide for his moderate viewpoints, support of progressive causes, support of economic development and small business, and he’s just a nice guy. He’d be my pick of the current council.
Extremely pro-business. Can only win if the liberals split up the vote in Takoma Park/Silver Spring. He’ll do anything to win – including losing a ton of weight!
His marriage and the unexpected passing of his father have changed his outlook but he clearly still wants to run. His support for missing middle housing has cost him some support but the opponents are louder than they are numerous, and Andrew was never going to be the slow growther’s choice anyway. Andrew is far from a lock but has quite a few advantages. He is easily the smartest and hardest working of the prospective CE candidates. He will have the center-left/moderate lane to himself, has shown he can raise money like no one else, and may benefit from a crowded primary where other candidates are tripping all over themselves to prove how progressive they are – and trying to be all things to all people.
Current Council President, favorite of businesses, but he’s been really smart about how he’s found social issues to be a hero on, while being one of the most moderate members of the Council. Expect the David Blair crowd to go with him.
He is by far, the most dedicated to the task of winning, he can command a room, he has the breadth and depth of knowledge about the county – where it is today and where it needs to go. Those who claim that he does not have reach beyond District 1, are, in my opinion, just plain wrong. If attainable housing doesn’t do him in, he should be our next county exec.
My number one pick (and the one I believe has the greatest chance of winning) is Andrew Friedson. He has crossover appeal to progressives, moderates, civics, business, even labor. He’s very popular in his downcounty district and these people turn out to vote. I also believe he has the capability to run an excellent campaign as he is a master strategist.
Talented and disciplined.
The business community never comes through for anybody so he will have to expand his base.
Andrew Friedson has an inside track on winning the CE position. He ran unopposed last time and already has a good war chest. He has shown great ability to work with all of the Council members on a wide array of issues. He understands the business community and economics, especially issues like housing and taxes that are going to be crucial in the next election. He has managed to work to move things ahead despite continuing sniping from the current CE. I think it fair to say he is also well liked by his colleagues.
Best chance of winning. He’s sharp, hardworking, understands the job he’s in, and *usually* wants to do the right thing if he can find his way there. Unfortunately, he can be a bully but he’s young still and could keep growing towards the light – hopefully not away from it.
Well spoken, has an excellent financial skillset, listens to and follows up with constituents. Mostly works well with others. Gets sh*t done. Has co-sponsored legislation with (I think) every one of his current council colleagues. Has built an impressive war chest. Best option for the county in my opinion.
He has a substantial war chest and a solid record on the Council. He is also a proven effective campaigner. He has had a successful turn as Council President and has gotten a lot done during his two terms on the council. That said, he is in a difficult position because of the attainable housing debate. Some of the largest opposition to the planning proposal is coming from his district. These are voters that he must have strong support from to be successful. His support from developers may be more of a liability. He also has never run countywide so name recognition will be an issue that he must overcome.
*****
Next: I will break my silence in an epilogue to this series.