By Adam Pagnucco.
Recently, I printed a letter from the Montgomery County Republican Party to Council President Natali Fani-González requesting that the council change the county’s public campaign financing law to require that candidates in that system participate in public debates. Furthermore, the GOP would like that requirement to be in place for the current general election. On Friday, the council president sent her reply.
Fani-González raises two problems with the proposal. First, it’s unclear whether state law permits the county to impose such a requirement. Second, the county’s requirements on legislative procedures prevent it from passing a law in the few remaining days before the general election.
It’s possible that such a proposal could be entertained during the term of the new council to be seated in December. That council has a strong likelihood of being populated solely by Democrats.
The council president’s reply to the GOP is reprinted below.
*****
October 16, 2026
Chairman Dennis Melby
Montgomery County Republican Central Committee
15833 Crabbs Branch Way
Rockville, MD 20855
Chair Melby:
Thank you for reaching out with the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee’s suggested amendments to the County’s Public Election Fund law. The Republican Central Committee has requested not only to amend the Public Election Fund law to require candidates who use public financing to participate in public debates, but also for the amended law to apply to candidates in the upcoming November 3, 2026 general election.
While I appreciate hearing the views of the Republican Central Committee, I don’t believe such action could be taken retroactively. In addition, many legal questions about the proposal would need to be thoroughly and carefully analyzed. For example, it is unclear whether the County has the authority under State law to require candidates to debate. The state public financing law allows the county to regulate contributions, expenditures, reporting, and campaign materials. The state law is silent about debates. New state enabling authority might be required if the County were to mandate debates via legislation.
Additionally, even if the Republican Central Committee’s amendments were legally feasible, there is insufficient time to enact such legislation prior to the November 3, 2026 general election. The earliest a bill could be drafted and introduced on a Council agenda is October 20, 2026. Section 111 of the County Charter requires a public hearing before any bill can be enacted, and the Council Rules of Procedure establish a two-week notice period before public hearings. That means a public hearing would occur on November 3, 2026 at the earliest (which is Election Day), and the Council is not scheduled to meet that day. After a public hearing, the bill would need to go to committee for a worksession and recommendation before being taken up by the full Council.
Thank you again for sharing the Republican Central Committee’s suggestions, and I look forward to continuing to engage in dialogue about key public policy issues impacting Montgomery County residents.
Sincerely,
Natali Fani-González
Council President
