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What’s the job: The legislative branch of Maryland’s county governments. Responsible for introducing and voting on legislation, approving county spending and providing oversight of county operations. Elected to a four-year term.
Democratic
Name: Fatmata Barrie
Age: 54
Personal: Longtime Montgomery County resident.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, psychology, Florida A&M University.
Experience: Founder and managing attorney, The Barrie Law Center; executive director, Montgomery County Police Accountability Board & Administrative Charging Committee; legislative aide, Montgomery County Council (Office of Councilmember Will Jawando).
Questionnaire
Name: Josie Caballero
Age: 40
Personal: I am a proud veteran of the United States Navy, a daughter of an immigrant family, and proud advocate for the LGBTQIA+ Community. As a trans woman, I began living as my authentic self in 2020, embracing the truth of my identity. I put down my roots in Montgomery County, in Maryland as it was a community that embraced me for who I am. I am proud to be a resident of Silver Spring where I live with my partner Katie, a fellow advocate for environmental justice, and our dog Annie!
Education: 1. San Diego State UniversityBachelor’s degree, Political Science2. San Diego Mesa CollegePolitical Science and Government3. Naval Nuclear Power SchoolCertified Naval Nuclear Plant Operator, Reactor Operations
Experience:
1. Commissioner & Policy Committee Chair, Maryland Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, 2023 - 2026
2. President, Transgender American Veterans Association, 2026 - Present
3. Director of Voting and Elections, Advocates for Trans Equality, 2024 - Present
4. National Center for Transgender Equality, Director of Voting and Elections, previously served as Director of the US Transgender Survey and Special Projects and Project Manager for the US Trans Survey
5. Political Consultant & Strategist6. U.S. Navy, Nuclear Reactor Operator
Questionnaire
Name: Radwan Chowdhury
Age: 52
Personal:
Education: Master’s degree, international business; MBA; bachelor’s degree, computer science, Florida Atlantic University
Experience: Chief operating officer, AA Global Solutions; vice president of operations, Freddie Mac; chair, East County Citizens Advisory Board Montgomery County; advisor, Maryland Comptroller State of Maryland.
Questionnaire
Name: Marc Elrich
Age: 76
Personal: I’ve been a Montgomery County resident almost my entire life..
Education: Bachelor’s degree, history, University of Maryland; master’s degree, teaching, Johns Hopkins University.
Experience: Montgomery County Executive (2018- Present); Montgomery County Council (2006-2018); Takoma Park City Council (1989-2006).
Questionnaire
Name: Dana E. Gassaway
Age: 65
Personal: One son and one grandson
Education: Bachelor’s degree, biology, Morgan State University; master’s degree, education, Bowie State University.
Experience: I have been the owner of a family-owned business for 15 years, a High School Science Teacher for 13, and a Medical Laboratory Technician in the US Army
Questionnaire
Name: Scott Evan Goldberg
Age: 44
Personal: Married, wife Dara, two children.
Education: Juris Doctor, University of Maryland School of Law; bachelor’s degree, business, University of Maryland; bachelor’s degree, government and politics, University of Maryland.
Experience: Montgomery Parks Foundation; Workforce Development Board; YMCA of Silver Spring Board of Directors; Bethesda Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors; Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board; Montgomery County Democratic Party, Chair; Pack 275, Cubmaster.
Questionnaire
Name: Hamza Khan
Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.
Name: Matt Losak
Age: 65
Personal: Lives in downtown Silver Spring.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, English; master’s degree, political science and government
Experience: Co-founder and executive director of the Montgomery County Renters Alliance and former chair of the Montgomery County Tenants Work Group.
Questionnaire
Name: Jim McNulty
Age: 52
Personal: Married, wife Amy, two children.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, communication, University of Scranton;Certificate in Excellence in Local Governance, University of Maryland (Fall 2026).
Experience: Gaithersburg City Councilmember; Realtor, Keller William
Questionnaire
Name: Jeremiah Pope
Age: 45
Personal: Married, has children.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, College of Charleston; master’s degree, public policy, New England College.
Experience: Chief of staff, Maryland General Assembly; small business owner, J Pope Consulting, LLC.
Questionnaire
Name: Laurie-Anne Sayles
Age: 45
Personal: One daughter.
Education: Associate’s degree, general studies, Prince George’s Community College; bachelor’s degree, public health, University of Maryland, College Park; MPA, University of Baltimore
Experience: Montgomery County Councilmember At-Large (2022–Present); City of Gaithersburg Councilmember (2017–2021); senior associate at the FDA (2019–2022); health communications coordinator at NIH (2013–2016); legislative director in the Maryland General Assembly (2017).
Questionnaire
Name: Prabu Selvam
Age: 41
Personal: Married, 5-year-old son.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, mechanical and aerospace engineering, Cornell University; master’s degree, epidemiology and public health, Johns Hopkins University; MD, University of Vermont College of Medicine
Experience: Humanitarian programs medical officer, Americares; emergency physician (Multiple hospitals); U.S. Air Force Officer, Major; emergency department medical director, Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Questionnaire
Name: Karla Silvestre
Age: 54
Personal: I am a Montgomery County resident and mother.
Education: Master’s degree, education, University of Pennsylvania; bachelor’s degree, Florida State University.
Experience: Director of community engagement, Montgomery College; At-Large member and former president, Montgomery County Board of Education.
Questionnaire
Name: Steve Solomon
Age: 50
Personal: Lifelong Montgomery County resident
Education: Bachelor’s degree, economics, University of Maryland, College Park; bachelor’s degree, theater, University of Maryland, College Park.
Experience: Podcast Host, radio host and producer; Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame board of directors; Library Board; Sports Advisory Committee; Moms Demand Action; Sierra Club; Maryland Kemp Mill Civic Association; Montgomery County Civic Federation Partnership for Animal Welfare Grants Advisory Board
Questionnaire
Name: Lelia B True
Age: 63
Personal: Single mother, one son.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, general engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point; master’s degree, management, Purdue University.
Experience: Head of school/faculty chair, Washington Waldorf School; operations manager, Washington Waldorf School
Questionnaire
Name: Vicki Vergagni
Age: 77
Personal:
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Buena Vista College; Graduate work in science education, University of Iowa.
Experience: Commissioner and vice chair, Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities.
Questionnaire
Name: Muhammad Arif Wali
Age: 22
Personal:
Education: Currently a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public health science.
Experience: I serve in a leadership capacity with the International Sports Organization (ISO), where I help guide and develop youth-centered programs that combine sports, education, and leadership development.
Questionnaire
Republican
Name: Sherwin Wells
Candidate did not respond to The Banner’s voter guide questionnaire.
