Esther L. Wells, a Republican, is running for Montgomery County executive in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Democrat Will Jawando is also running for the seat.

Asked why she is seeking the office, Wells said in the Potomac Beacon's candidate questionnaire: "It's too expensive to live here! I'm seeking elective office because I care about my community and I want to reverse the pain and suffering that my opponent has caused our families over the last eight years that he has been in County Government. My priorities include fiscal discipline, government accountability and improving public safety in Montgomery County."

Wells said she would bring private-sector financial experience to the role: "As a CPA, I have the financial expertise and leadership experience to move Montgomery County forward. My career leading tax strategies with multi-national Corporations has generated multi-million-dollar savings."

Candidate information

Party: Republican

Education: Wells described her background in our questionnaire: "Esther and her family migrated to Montgomery County, MD from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago in 1995 in search of the 'American Dream'. She attended Whetstone Elementary School, Montgomery Village Middle School, Neelsville Middle School and Watkins Mill High School. She's 'home grown'. Esther earned her B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business in 2009 and her Masters in Taxation from Northeastern University D'Amore McKim School of Business in 2015. She is an active Certified Public Accountant in Maryland."

Family: "Esther is an Autism mom and single-parent of two MCPS students."

Previous elected or appointed office: "N/A"

Family in politics or government: "No"

Experience and public service

Wells described her work history in our questionnaire: "I am a Certified Public Accountant and state and local tax professional with more than 16 years of experience in public accounting and corporate tax leadership. I began my career at Ernst & Young as a Tax Associate, where I was exposed to complex tax transactions, mergers and acquisitions of multi-national corporations. Then, I worked in the satellite telecommunications sector focusing on State Income Tax and managing multistate corporate income tax compliance, controversy and audits. Currently, I am the State Indirect Tax Leader for a multi-billion dollar enterprise of companies in the Energy sector with a proven record of monetizing multi-million-dollar savings for stakeholders and ratepayers. …"

Asked what accomplishments she would cite as evidence she can handle the job, Wells said: "Maryland CPA for over 15 years with financial expertise and leadership experience leading tax strategies for multi-national Corporations, which has generated multi-million-dollar savings. President, Montgomery County Taxpayers League where I've supported appropriate actions to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in Montgomery County government. NAACP Parent Council Representative, serving to empower minority parents to become active advocates 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."

On the issues

Critical differences from other candidates: Wells said: "I will fight to lower taxes, restore the $692 ITOC Homeowner Tax Credit, and make Montgomery County affordable. My opponent has voted for higher spending and taxes on residents. I will fully fund police, rebuild staffing, and provide the resources officers need to protect every neighborhood. I support restoring School Resource Officers in our high schools to strengthen safety, prevention, and relationships with students. … I will confront antisemitism and anti-Black hatred, impose stronger consequences, and protect students, families, and residents."

MCPS funding and accountability: Wells said: "MCPS receives nearly half the county budget, so funding must be disciplined and results-driven. I will fund schools at Maintenance of Effort, with additional dollars tied to measurable improvements in reading and math proficiency and closing achievement gaps for Black and Brown students, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Until those outcomes improve significantly, union wage adjustments should be limited to cost-of-living increases. I will implement zero-based budgeting and commission a forensic audit of the operating budget to identify waste, mismanagement, and savings that can support long-term facility priorities. …"

Best advice: "Listen before you lead. Earn trust by showing up, telling the truth, and offering practical solutions that put residents ahead of politics."