What’s the job: The chief executive in Maryland’s largest counties. The executive proposes the county budget and oversees services and agencies, such as police, public works, and planning and development. Elected to a four-year term.

Democratic

Name: Mithun Banerjee

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Andrew Friedson

Andrew Friedson.
Andrew Friedson. (Steve Barrett)

Age: 40

Personal: Married, wife Demi, one daughter.

My passion for service began in elementary school, advocating for safer bus routes. This lifelong commitment to our most vulnerable neighbors has guided me as I launched the Maryland ABLE statewide disability savings program and chaired the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families. For me, public service is a calling to support the most vulnerable among us and uplift the community that raised me.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, government and politics, University of Maryland, College Park.

Experience: Member, Montgomery County Council, District 1 (2018-present), including chair of the Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee; senior leadership roles for the Comptroller of Maryland.

Questionnaire

Name: Evan Glass

Evan Glass.
Evan Glass. (Evan Glass campaign)

Age: 49

Personal: Married, husband, Jason.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, journalism and political science, American University.

Experience: Member, Montgomery County Council, at-large (2018-present); chair, Transportation and Environment Committee; executive director, Gandhi Brigade Youth Media (2014-2018); director, Reingold Inc. (2011-2012); president, co-founder, South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association (2006-2011).

Questionnaire

Name: Peter James

Peter James.
Peter James. (Courtesy of Peter James)

Age: 71

Personal: Married, two daughters.

Education: Studied cybernetics at University of Delaware’s philosophy department; independent study in biophysics, dissipative structures and human brain anatomy and function.

Experience: CEO, Crystal Clear Automation LLC, a family-owned AI robotics R&D company; president, Germantown Kiwanis; founder, Maryland nonprofit First Fruits Farms; spent first 20 years of career in Silicon Valley consulting to over 200 Inc. 100 and Fortune 500 companies.

Questionnaire

Name: Will Jawando

Will Jawando.
Will Jawando. (Will Jawando for Montgomery County)

Age: 43

Personal: Married, wife, Michele, three daughters and a son.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, sociology, Catholic University of America; juris doctor, Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America.

Experience: Member, Montgomery County Council, at-large (2018-present); chair, Education and Culture Committee; associate director, public engagement, Obama White House; civil rights attorney; co-founder and first executive director, Summer RISE.

Questionnaire

Republican

Name: Shelly Skolnick

Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.

Name: Esther Wells

Esther Wells.
Esther Wells. (Esther Wells campaign)

Age: 39

Personal: Esther Wells migrated to the United States in 1995 in search of the “American Dream”. Since then, she has lived in Montgomery County and what a privilege that has been. Esther is the proud single mother of two boys, an 8-year-old and a 13-year-old who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. If elected County Executive, Esther will be the First Female County Executive, First Black Female County Executive and First Immigrant County Executive. What an honor and example that would be! Esther believes the county works best when government is competent, transparent, and focused on the basics: Public safety, public education, transportation infrastructure, and an economy where hard work is rewarded. Esther’s approach is practical and disciplined—set clear goals, measure progress, and stay accountable to the people you serve.

Education: Masters in Taxation, Northeastern University, D’Amore McKim School of Business, 2015 - B.S. in Accounting, University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business, 2009 - Certified Public Accountant in Maryland, 2010

Experience: Before seeking office, I dedicated my career to financial accountability and energy security initiatives to reduce cost of energy for Montgomery County families. State & Local Senior Tax Manager: • Strategic Leadership: Leads all State & Local tax aspects of corporate transactions, including due diligence & integration of acquired companies’ general ledger systems & tax registrations. • Operations & Compliance: Manages and reviews 90+ consolidated, unitary, and separate tax filings; oversees property, franchise, excise, and sales/use tax compliance. • Advisory: Partners with marketing and deal teams to ensure contract language preserves profit margins and monitors remote worker policies and state nexus implications. Tax Senior Associate • Multi-Jurisdictional Compliance: Managed federal, foreign, and state income tax returns for multi-national corporations. • Technical Audit & Research: Reviewed and prepared ASC 740 income tax audits and performed deep-dive research into tax law developments to identify tax savings for clients. • Special Projects: Spearheaded Research & Development tax credit studies and nexus studies; managed complex partnership tax reporting, including K-1 preparation for 150+ partners. Taxpayer Advocacy: As President of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League, I’ve fought for government efficiency. I sponsor the annual MCPS Operating Budget Palooza, bringing hundreds of residents and officials together to do a deep dive into how MCPS funds are actually spent. Non-Profit Leadership: As President/Chair of a local faith-based non-profit, I provide rigorous legal and operational oversight, managing budgets and strategic planning to ensure long-term financial sustainability and fiduciary compliance. Education Advocacy: As an NAACP Parent Council Representative, I empower minority parents to advocate 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. My experience as a CPA and community leader has always focused on the bottom line: making sure government works for you, the Taxpayer. I’ve spent years analyzing budgets, taxes and streamlining processes to protect your tax dollars and improve services for every resident.

Questionnaire