Omar Lazo is running for the Montgomery County Public School Board at-large seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Brenda M. Diaz.
Lazo, a father of three daughters enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools, says he wants to strengthen support for educators, rebuild trust in school district budgeting and expand career programs for students, according to his campaign website.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Montgomery County Public School Board, at large
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration and management, University of Maryland - College Park (1999); high school diploma, St. Catherine Laboure School (1995)
- Family: Three daughters in MCPS. One attends elementary school, one attends high school and one participates in the Early College program at Montgomery College, according to Lazo's campaign.
- Professional background: Owner of Simply Bliss Salon and Los Chorros Restaurant, according to BallotReady profile data. Previously worked as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Justice, a realtor at Aguilar & Associates Realty and a financial accountant at CACI International Inc., according to the same source.
Experience and public service
Lazo has served as a trustee on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees, according to his campaign. During that tenure, he said he helped guide Montgomery College to become Maryland's first Hispanic-Serving Institution and a federally recognized Minority-Serving Institution.
He has also held civic roles including chair of the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board, according to The MoCo Show. Lazo listed additional civic involvement in a 2022 Moderately MoCo questionnaire:
- Member of the Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
- Second vice president of the Wheaton and Kensington Chamber of Commerce
- Board member of the Wheaton Arts Parade
- Member of the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee and the Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee
He also listed membership in the Committee for Montgomery.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Lazo's campaign website and candidate questionnaire responses. They reflect the candidate's own stated priorities.
Student safety and fentanyl prevention: Lazo says he advocates for comprehensive fentanyl education and prevention. He calls for partnering with county and state agencies, schools and community groups to inform parents. He treats student safety as a top priority for the board, according to his campaign.
Educator support: Lazo says he wants to strengthen support for educators and ensure classrooms have the resources they need.
Trust and transparency: Lazo says he wants to rebuild trust and transparency in decision-making and budgeting at MCPS.
Equitable access to programs: Lazo says he supports expanding equitable access to academic and career programs, including language support, arts, STEM and early college pathways.
Family engagement: Lazo says he wants to improve communication and family engagement so parents and caregivers are informed and included.
Endorsements
Lazo has been endorsed by the Maryland State Education Association, according to BallotReady profile data.
Candidate positions and biographical claims are based on campaign materials and questionnaire responses reviewed for this profile. Voters can learn more at omarlazo4boe.com.
