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: Marilyn Balcombe

Marilyn Balcombe.
Marilyn Balcombe. (Courtesy of Marilyn Balcombe)

Age: 69

Personal: One daughter.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, accounting, and master’s degree, mental health counseling, University of Florida; PhD, organizational psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Experience: Member, Montgomery County Council, District 2; current council vice president; CPA for many years; Department of Energy, 15 years; executive director, BlackRock Center for the Arts; CEO, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.

Questionnaire

A: We need to invest in economic development, reduce barriers for businesses and be help businesses come to Montgomery County.

A: We need to expand our economic base.

A: No. It has stifled multi-family housing construction.

A: Yes.

A: We need strong legislation to control where and how data centers operate. I, along with several colleagues, have introduced these guidelines.

A: No. We need to close the incinerator, but also reduce the amount of trash we produce.

A: We should do everything we can to protect all our residents regardless of immigration status. I have co-sponsored or supported all the legislation that has come before the council.

A: I work hard every day to make sure my constituents in District 2 have the same level of resources as the rest of the county. I work closely with my constituents to help them navigate the resources in the county and the issues they face. I work well with my colleagues on the council to ensure the county is successful. I am the current incumbent and still have a lot of work I would like to accomplish.