The filing deadline for candidates who plan to run for their party’s nominations was Feb. 25, and many races for local and state offices are now set. The Primary Election is scheduled for June 24. Currently there are no elected Republicans from Montgomery County, so in many cases the winners of the Democratic primary on June 24 will be the likely winner in November. Here is a list of candidates in some offices representing the Potomac area.
In coming months, the Almanac will publish more information on the candidates and issues. (The Almanac sent emails to candidates requesting information for future use; candidates should email mkimm@connectionnewspapers.com if they did not receive that email.)
County Executive
County Councilmember Phil Andrews and former County Executive Douglas M. Duncan will challenge incumbent Isiah Leggett.
Republican Jim Shalleck will challenge the Democratic primary winner in November's election.
County Council, District 1
Roger Berliner holds County Council's District 1 seat, which serves Potomac. Duchy Trachtenberg announced in February that she will challenge Berliner for the Democratic nomination for the County Council seat.
County Council, At Large
Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George L. Leventhal and Hans Riemer, all Democrats, serve on the County Council as the four at-large members. Each seeks to return, and Democrats Beth Daly and Vivian Malloy have also filed intent to run. Potomac residents are represented on County Council by District 1 and the four at-large members.
Republicans Robert Dyer and Shelly Skolnic are also running, in addition to Green Party candidate Tim Willard.
Board of Education
While the Board of Education also has at-large and district members, it works differently than for County Council. While candidates for Board of Education in a given district must live inside the boundaries of the district, all voters in the county will vote to choose members for each district and the at-large member.
Members of the Board of Education serve staggered terms; this year voters will choose one at-large member, and the members of districts 1, 3 and 5. Each race with more than two candidates will be listed on the primary ballot; voters will choose one in each district and the top two vote-getters will go on to the general election in November.
Running for the at-large seat for the Board of Education are Edward Amatetti, Shebra Evans, Merry Eisner Heidorn and Jill Ortman-Fouse. For District 1, Judy Docca and Kristin Trible have filed. For District 3, Patricia O’Neill will face Laurie Halverson. For District 5, Mike Durso will face Larry Edmonds.
The Board of Education is a nonpartisan body, and candidates do not declare any party affiliation. Any registered voter will be able to vote for the Board of Education in the primary, even those registered as Independents.
General Assembly
In the General Assembly, parts of Potomac are represented by District 16, which also covers Bethesda, and parts are represented by District 15, which also covers the upcounty area.
State Senator (D-15)
Sen. Brian J. Feldman will be unopposed in June's primary election. Republican Robin Ficker will challenge him in the November election.
State Senator (D-16)
Longtime D-16 Senator Brian Frosh is running for Attorney General, opening his seat on the Maryland State Senate. District 16 Del. Susan C. Lee seeks election to the Senate, in addition to J'aime Drayton and Hugh Hill.
Republican Meyer Marks will challenge the winner.
House of Delegates (D-15)
Delegates Kathleen Dumais, Aruna Miller and David Fraser-Hidalgo seek re-election to their positions on Maryland's House of Delegates and Bennett Rushkoff will also compete for one of the three seats.
Republicans Flynn Ficker, Ed Edmunds and Christine Thron are slated to challenge the winners.
House of Delegates (D-16)
In District 16, seven Democrats have filed for the three available delegate seats. Current delegates Bill Frick and Ariana Kelly will compete with Peter Dennis, Hrant Jamgochian, Marc Korman, Karen Kuker-Kihl and Gareth Murray.
Just one Republican has filed so far to run for Delegate in District 16, Rose Marie Li.