By Adam Pagnucco.
This is the first post in a series on answers to this year’s Montgomery Perspective questionnaire for county executive candidates. Here is the question.
Before you decided to run for elected office, how did you serve Montgomery County residents?
Mithun Banerjee (D)
On April 29, Banerjee requested more time to respond due to medical reasons. At that time, he told me, “I was sick & still I am sick. I will try my level best to send them to you at the earliest.”
Andrew Friedson (D)
I consider public service as a calling, not a career choice, especially when it comes to serving Montgomery County, the only place I’ve ever called home. That calling began when I was advocating for safer bus routes at my MCPS elementary school and has continued ever since. Prior to running and serving two terms on the County Council and as Council President, I chaired the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families and served as a Senior Policy Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Maryland Comptroller where I scrutinized billions of dollars of public contracts and held government agencies accountable. I launched the ABLE statewide disability savings program and oversaw a leadership transition for the state’s 529 College Savings Program, both of which serve more Montgomery County residents than any other jurisdiction. As an advisor and administrator, I’ve managed large government agencies and programs and oversaw a portfolio that included Maryland’s $50 billion public pension system for teachers and public employees and economic, tax, and regulatory policy. I was also appointed by the Governor to the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, which supports historically under-resourced and under-represented local businesses.
Evan Glass (D)
My public service began as a journalist with CNN, covering Congress and presidential campaigns. I moved to downtown Silver Spring for its affordability and access to transit. But getting to the Metro meant navigating broken sidewalks and unsafe crossings. After years reporting on national politics, I realized I didn’t know who to call to fix the issues affecting my own neighborhood.
So I took action. I mobilized my neighbors and co-founded the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association, serving as its first president. We partnered with county and state leaders to improve road safety, worked with developers and small businesses to enhance local amenities, and collaborated with police to strengthen public safety.
After leaving journalism, I continued my service through nonprofit leadership. I served on the board of Montgomery Housing Partnership, expanding affordable housing for working families; Equality Maryland, advancing marriage equality; and Conservation Montgomery, protecting our tree canopy.
Before joining the Council, I was Executive Director of Gandhi Brigade Youth Media (now Action Youth Media), empowering immigrant and low-income students through digital media and civic engagement.
Peter James (D)
Member & past president Germantown Kiwanis worked on dozens of charity drives, work project and events
Won tri-state membership growth award as president
Founded and ran Fruits Fruits Farms for seven years. Ran internship program teaching technologies to lower local food production costs & eliminating pesticide & synthetic fertilizer use. Provided all produce to food banks. Install 3 hydroponics systems in 3 – see facebook.com/robogrow
Mentored interns from local colleges, MCPS high schools, Summer Rise, Montgomery County Conservation Corp and Americorp.
Member, presenter and worked on various projects with MoCo Makers and with Rockville Science Center.
Worked with large international charity on getting 100K free electric vehicles for Montgomery County’s low income households. Marc Elrich turned us down even though it wouldn’t have costed the County anything.
Performed. smart crosswalk study for MD SHA, primarily in Rockville.
Various Personal cleanups, protests, etc
Found $100M in fake mortgages by Ameica’s Wholesale Lender Many resulting in unlawfull foreclosures. Minority immigrants were targeted. The Courts and State’s Attorney refused to take action.
Contacted all Council members informing them of racial disparity in police arresting blacks 6 times more than whites on a per capita basis. Didn’t get a single response from the council. The data came directly from the states attorney’s website.
Will Jawando (D)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Shelly Skolnick (R)
Did not answer the questionnaire.
Esther Wells (R)
Before seeking office, I dedicated my career to financial accountability and energy security initiatives to reduce cost of energy for Montgomery County families.
Taxpayer Advocacy: As President of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League, I’ve fought for government efficiency. I sponsor the annual MCPS Operating Budget Palooza, bringing hundreds of residents and officials together to do a deep dive into how MCPS funds are actually spent.
Non-Profit Leadership: As President/Chair of a local faith-based non-profit, I provide rigorous legal and operational oversight, managing budgets and strategic planning to ensure long-term financial sustainability and fiduciary compliance.
Education Advocacy: As an NAACP Parent Council Representative, I empower minority parents to advocate for their children’s education, ensuring equitable treatment and academic success.
Direct Engagement: I actively served on Superintendent Taylor’s FY2027 Budget Advisory Committee, providing Taxpayer and Community input to shape our schools’ future.
My experience as a CPA and community leader has always focused on the bottom line: making sure government works for you, the Taxpayer. I’ve spent years analyzing budgets, taxes and streamlining processes to protect your tax dollars and improve services for every resident.