Montgomery County Council District 7

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: Van Free

Age: 46

Personal: Partnered, four children.

Education: Studied kinesiology, Towson University.

Experience: Small-business owner in the DMV; retired Montgomery County firefighter/EMT (15 years).

Questionnaire

Q: The county is facing increased economic strain in part due to mass layoffs and budget cuts at federal agencies. What are the best ways for the county to work to bounce back from these federal changes?

Q: With increased maintenance costs, lower enrollment, and other expenses rising, what do you think is the best approach to address the growing budget needs for county schools?

Q: Do you believe the county’s rent stabilization policy has been effective in addressing the local affordable housing crisis?

Q: Do you believe increased development can be effective in addressing the local affordable housing crisis?

Q: How should the county handle potential data center development while assessing potential unintended consequences?

Q: Should the county keep the Dickerson trash incinerator open, or do you believe there is an alternative path forward for waste disposal in the county?

Q: What do you believe is the county’s role in protecting immigrants? Do you support legislation that restricts ICE’s actions in the county?

Q: Why should voters elect you for county council?

Name: Sharif Hidayat

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

Name: Dawn Luedtke

Age: 52

Personal: Married, four teenage children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, English, University of Pennsylvania; juris doctor and certification in health law, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Experience: Member, Montgomery County Council, (2022-present); assistant attorney general, Maryland Office of the Attorney General (2013-2022).

Questionnaire

Q: The county is facing increased economic strain in part due to mass layoffs and budget cuts at federal agencies. What are the best ways for the county to work to bounce back from these federal changes?

Q: With increased maintenance costs, lower enrollment, and other expenses rising, what do you think is the best approach to address the growing budget needs for county schools?

Q: Do you believe the county’s rent stabilization policy has been effective in addressing the local affordable housing crisis?

Q: Do you believe increased development can be effective in addressing the local affordable housing crisis?

Q: How should the county handle potential data center development while assessing potential unintended consequences?

Q: Should the county keep the Dickerson trash incinerator open, or do you believe there is an alternative path forward for waste disposal in the county?

Q: What do you believe is the county’s role in protecting immigrants? Do you support legislation that restricts ICE’s actions in the county?

Q: Why should voters elect you for county council?

Republican

Name: Harold Maldonado

Age: 52

Personal: Married, four children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, economics, The Catholic University of America; master’s degree, economic development, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (La Paz, Bolivia).

Experience: Economic security consultant; AI writing analyst; project manager for multiple federal programs.

Questionnaire

Q: The county is facing increased economic strain in part due to mass layoffs and budget cuts at federal agencies. What are the best ways for the county to work to bounce back from these federal changes?

Q: With increased maintenance costs, lower enrollment, and other expenses rising, what do you think is the best approach to address the growing budget needs for county schools?

Q: Do you believe the county’s rent stabilization policy has been effective in addressing the local affordable housing crisis?

Q: Do you believe increased development can be effective in addressing the local affordable housing crisis?

Q: How should the county handle potential data center development while assessing potential unintended consequences?

Q: Should the county keep the Dickerson trash incinerator open, or do you believe there is an alternative path forward for waste disposal in the county?

Q: What do you believe is the county’s role in protecting immigrants? Do you support legislation that restricts ICE’s actions in the county?

Q: Why should voters elect you for county council?