Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is running for an at-large seat on the Montgomery County Council in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Elrich, a Democrat, announced his candidacy on Nov. 18, 2024, according to the county executive's office. Montgomery County voters approved a referendum in 2024 limiting the county executive to two consecutive terms, blocking Elrich from seeking a third term in that office. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady.

Four at-large seats are on the ballot. Voters choose up to four candidates. Elrich led the 17-candidate Democratic primary field in June 2026 with approximately 45,124 votes, or 14.6% of the vote. Those results reflect early counting, according to the Associated Press results reported by FOX 5 DC.

The other candidates in this race are Karla Silvestre, Laurie-Anne Sayles and Scott Evan Goldberg, all Democrats, and Sherwin Wells, a Republican.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Born: Nov. 2, 1949, in Washington, D.C.
  • Education: Bachelor of arts in history, University of Maryland; master of arts in teaching, Johns Hopkins University
  • Early background: Attended Montgomery County public schools, including Einstein High School in Kensington, according to the Maryland State Archives

Elrich said on his campaign website that he began community and tenant organizing in Montgomery County around 1980 and was active in land-use advocacy.

Experience and public service

Elrich previously held the at-large council seat he is seeking again. His public service record spans nearly four decades in Montgomery County government and education.

  • Takoma Park City councilmember (1987–2006)
  • Teacher, Rolling Terrace Elementary School, Takoma Park (1990–2006)
  • Montgomery County councilmember, at-large (2006–2018)
  • Montgomery County executive (2018–present)

Endorsements

The following endorsements were claimed by the endorsing organizations, according to BallotReady:

  • Progressive Neighbors
  • Progressive Maryland
  • Maryland State Education Association
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Maryland, known as AFSCME
  • Our Revolution Maryland

This profile was compiled from public records, the candidate's campaign website and BallotReady election data.