By Adam Pagnucco.
Last Friday, County Executive Marc Elrich appeared on the Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi and engaged in a wide-ranging discussion touching on schools, guns, crime, zoning, economic development and other subjects. At the very end of the interview, Nnamdi asked Elrich this question:
*****
Nnamdi, 12:48:42. Three seconds. Are you going to run for re-election in 2026?
Elrich, 12:48:44. Yes, absolutely.
Nnamdi, 12:48:46. That’s all the time we have. Marc Elrich is the Montgomery County executive. He is running.
*****
Elrich did not hedge. Note the word “absolutely.”
Elrich’s first two races saw the closest primaries in Montgomery County executive race history. He won the 2018 Democratic primary by 77 votes and the 2022 Democratic primary by 32 votes, both over businessman David Blair. But with no sign that Blair intends to run again, Elrich would probably be running against a field that lacks Blair’s resources. If he draws multiple rivals as he did in his first two races and retains his progressive endorsements along with his incumbency, he would be in a strong position to claim a third term.
But there is a hitch – former GOP executive nominee Reardon Sullivan is gathering petition signatures for a charter amendment that would limit executives to two terms. (Currently the limit is three terms.) If Sullivan’s amendment makes the ballot and is passed by the voters, Elrich would be out of the race and a free for all would result.
Sullivan makes no bones about it – his effort is explicitly targeted at knocking out Elrich. See the screenshot below from his ballot committee’s website.
Sullivan’s committee is due to file a campaign finance report with the State Board of Elections next month. It will be interesting to see who is funding his effort – and whether Elrich’s vow to seek reelection will generate even more dollars to get rid of him.