240-454-5648

It is a rare occasion that a newspaper IS the news of the day

We hope to become your new source of news, information and features about the people and places in the greater Olney area,

District 7 council seat draws attention as General Election nears

by Judith Hruz

Editor

As voters in the Greater Olney area cast their ballots in the General Election, they will be choosing someone to fill a newly created seat on the County Council.

The race for the new District 7 seat – created after voters increased the number of County Council districts from five to seven during the 2018 election, along with the four at-large seats already in place — should give the community someone who cares about the district because he or she will live in the community.

The District 7 race has arguably received the most attention in the community because of the role that council member could play for the residents, organizations and businesses in the area.

Seven Democrats sought their party’s nomination in the Primary Election, with Dawn Luedtke of Ashton, an assistant attorney general for Maryland, earning 35.76 percent of the votes.

Harold Maldonado was the only Republican on the ballot and he has been outspoken in the ways he differs from the Democrats who occupy the council seats and why he wants to be elected.

He has also chastised the media for not covering Republicans in the General Election.

Maldonado and Luedtke went before the community in a forum sponsored by the Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) on Oct. 11.

While both clearly expressed a desire to give the community a voice it has lacked, along with making sure that the county stems crime and sustains a top-tier educational system, among other issues, Maldonado and Luedtke varied on how to accomplish those goals.

“I want to return common sense to the council,” Maldonado said, adding the county needs accountability, integrity and objectivity.

He said he believes the traditional family is under attack and that crime and costs are rising.

Luedtke said she understands the role of the council and has taken oaths to uphold the law at various levels of her career.

She said she knows the importance of her voice on the council, adding, “And you haven’t had that voice.”

District 7 encompasses Olney, Sandy Spring and Ashton, Brighton, Norbeck/Norwood, Brookeville, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Goshen, Cedar Grove, Damascus, Mt. Airy and Woodbine. Mt. Airy is divided by Carroll, Frederick, Howard and Montgomery counties. Woodbine lies in Carroll, Howard and Montgomery counties.

In addition to filling the District 7 County Council seat, District 7 residents – and all county residents – will choose the four at-large council members.

The Democrats are:

Gabe Albornoz, incumbent;

Evan Glass of Silver Spring, incumbent;

Will Jawando of Ashton, incumbent; and

Laurie-Anne Sayles of Gaithersburg.

The Republicans are:

Christopher Fiotes of Gaithersburg;

Lenard Lieber of Gaithersburg; and

Dwight Patel of Bethesda.

Green Party candidate Dan Robinson also will run in the General Election.

 

County Executive

 

Incumbent Marc Elrich defeated businessman David Blair by a razor-thin margin, as well as technology businessman Peter James and County Councilman Hans Riemer (D-At large), in the Democratic Primary for county executive.

He is vying for a second term against Republicans Reardon Sullivan of Gaithersburg and Green Party candidate Devin Battley of Derwood.

 

Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Clerk of Courts and Register of Wills

 

In the races for sheriff, state’s attorney, clerk of courts and register of wills, Chief Deputy Sheriff Maxwell Uy, incumbent John McCarthy, incumbent Karen Bushell and incumbent Joseph M. Griffin, all Democrats, are running unopposed for those seats, respectively, in the General Election.

 

State Senate and State House of Delegates

 

In Legislative District 14, incumbent State Sen. Craig Zucker, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Alex Bieber in the General Election.

In the race for District 14 House seats, incumbents Anne R. Kaiser, Eric Luedtke and Pamela Queen, all Democrats, are being challenged by Republicans Kathy Gugulis and Kate Walshe.

 

Governor/Lt. Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General

 

In the race for governor and lieutenant governor, Democrats West Moore of Baltimore City and Aruna Miller of Montgomery County are vying for the offices against Republicans Dan Cox of Frederick County and Gordana Schifanelli of Queen Anne’s County.

In the race for comptroller, Democrat Brooke Lierman of Baltimore City faces Republican Barry Glassman of Harford County in the General Election.

In the race for attorney general, Democrat Anthony Brown of Prince George’s County is going up against Republican Michael Anthony Peroutka of Anne Arundel County.

 

U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives

 

    In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Democrat Christopher Van Hollen of Montgomery County is running against Republic Chris Chaffee of Calvert County,

    In the Democratic Primary for the 8th District of the U.S. House of Representatives, which now includes most of the Greater Olney area, incumbent Jamie Raskin is running against Republican Gregory Thomas Coll of Montgomery County and Libertarian candidate Andres Garcia of Montgomery County in the General Election.

Advertise With Us

The Greater Olney News reaches more than 20,000 homes and businesses through the U.S. Postal Service and hundreds more are dropped at businesses and popular gathering spots.

For a media kit, deadlines, rates and other advertising information, call 240-454-5648.

Read More