By Adam Pagnucco.
Council Member Andrew Friedson, who is running for county executive, has announced endorsements from the two council members representing most of Upcounty today. That is part of an unfolding alignment among some council members around differing choices for executive.
Friedson’s new endorsers include Council Members Marilyn Balcombe (District 2) and Dawn Luedtke (District 7). Their two districts combined include Poolesville, Dickerson, Germantown, Boyds, Montgomery Village, Clarksburg, Damasus, Laytonsville, Brookeville, Olney and other smaller nearby communities. Check out the district map below.
Upcounty is important to Friedson’s geography for victory. He needs to win by a big margin in his own district (which includes voter-rich areas like Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Potomac) but that’s not enough. His two main opponents, Will Jawando and Evan Glass, have displayed strength in Downtown Silver Spring, Takoma Park, East County and Downcounty in their prior races. Upcounty, a politically moderate region, is a plausible place for Friedson to do well. If all of these past patterns hold up, Rockville could decide the primary.
Jawando has been endorsed by Council Member Kristin Mink, who represents much of East County. Mink has been distributing flyers promoting Jawando in her district. At-large council member Laurie-Anne Sayles is not listed on Jawando’s endorsement page but she did speak at his campaign kickoff.
The endorsements of these council members does not automatically confer wins in their districts, but they’re helpful. If I were working for Friedson or Jawando, I would advise them to post digital ads targeted at those districts featuring their supportive council members. It might even be worth a mailer. Jawando needs Mink’s help less since he already does well in her East County district, which is the traditional base of MoCo’s Black Democrats. Friedson is not as well known in Upcounty, so he can use the exposure there that Balcombe and Luedtke can help him get.
Finally, what we’re seeing here is ideological alignment. Jawando and Mink are the progressive pole of the council, and they have a long history of working together on issues like rent control and opposition to ICE. Friedson, Balcombe and Luedtke are the center-left pole of the council. The other council members, including Glass, are broadly progressive and often line up at positions between these poles depending on the issue. Because most, if not all, the council incumbents running for reelection are favorites to return, they will help shape the successes and failures of the next executive.
Friedson’s press release announcing endorsements by Balcombe and Luedtke is reprinted below.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Block
Email: john@andrewfriedson.com
Website: www.andrewfriedson.com
April 22, 2026
Upcounty Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Dawn Luedtke Endorse Andrew Friedson for Montgomery County Executive
Leaders cite Friedson’s pragmatic, results-driven leadership as key to making Montgomery County more affordable and competitive
Rockville, MD —The campaign of Montgomery County Councilmember and former Council President Andrew Friedson today announced the endorsement of both County Councilmembers who represent the Upcounty: Marilyn Balcombe and Dawn Luedtke. These endorsements further solidify Friedson’s broad coalition of support, strength in Montgomery County’s Upcounty, and his growing momentum in the race for County Executive.
Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe has been a fierce advocate for economic growth and opportunity for the Upcounty as a Councilmember and in her decades of community leadership. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke has built a reputation for thoughtful, detail-oriented leadership and delivering real results for the residents she represents. Their support signals a shared belief that Friedson is the right leader to manage the county responsibly, focus on affordability, and to stand up for the Upcounty who have too often felt unheard and unrepresented.
“As a representative for the Upcounty, I am proud to endorse Andrew Friedson because he understands the unique needs of our growing communities and the importance of a strong local economy,” said Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe. “Andrew has a proven track record of bringing people together to tackle our toughest challenges, from making housing more affordable, to supporting our local business, to ensuring our tax dollars are invested effectively to support the residents that make the Upcounty thrive.”
“Andrew Friedson is a pragmatic problem solver who has consistently delivered results for Montgomery County,” said Councilmember Dawn Luedtke. “I trust him to lead with the urgency and intentionality needed to prioritize public safety, lower housing costs, and make our county more affordable and accessible for every family. He is the leader we need to manage our resources responsibly and deliver real progress for our residents.”
“I am deeply honored to have the support of two leaders and colleagues I deeply respect for their dedication to our community, and their practical approach to delivering government that actually works,” said Councilmember Andrew Friedson. “I know that together we can ensure Upcounty has a County Executive who cares, listens, and delivers real results so families can afford to live and businesses can actually thrive.”
Friedson, a lifelong Montgomery County resident, has emerged as a leading voice for fiscal responsibility and pragmatic problem solving. He currently chairs the Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee and served as Council President from 2023 to 2024.
These new endorsements add to a growing list of prominent supporters, including U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth and a majority of Montgomery County’s State Senators. Friedson has been endorsed by Upcounty elected officials at every level of government, including: Senators Feldman, King and Zucker, District 15 Delegates Qi and Foley, Poolesville Commission President Jim Brown, Commissioner Ed Reed and former Commissioner Valaree Dickerson, Washington Grove Mayor John Compton, Barnesville Commission President Dan Ennis, and former County Councilmember Mike Knapp. Friedson has also earned unified support from the county’s entire fire and rescue service, including the career firefighters of IAFF Local 1664 and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Rescue Association. Other key backers include business leader David Blair and former Councilmember Hans Riemer, former Attorney General Doug Gansler, former Comptroller Peter Franchot, former State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and former Maryland Democratic Party Chair, Susan Turnbull
For more information about Andrew Friedson’s campaign for County Executive, to get involved, or to follow the campaign, please visit www.andrewfriedson.com.
About Andrew Friedson
Andrew Friedson is currently serving his second term on the Montgomery County Council, where he chairs the Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee and served as Council President in 2023-2024. A lifelong Montgomery County resident and proud Democrat, Friedson is recognized for his effective leadership on housing affordability, economic development, and fiscal responsibility. He has dedicated his career to building effective government that listens, works, and delivers for the public.
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