Omar Lazo was running slightly ahead in the at-large school board race, according to early returns.

The contest was one of the most highly charged in Montgomery County.

Lazo, a businessman and Montgomery College trustee, faces Brenda Diaz, a former Montgomery County Public Schools teacher who resigned after violating the mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lazo had the support of the influential teachers union’s Apple Ballot, many sitting local leaders and Gov. Wes Moore. Still, Diaz was stiff competition, tapping into parental dissatisfaction and slamming the status quo.

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Diaz attracted tens of thousands of dollars worth of opposition spending from a super PAC that labeled her “too extreme” for the deep-blue county.

Sally McCarthy had a decisive lead over Cassandra “Cassi” Sung for the District 3 seat. McCarthy, a longtime PTA leader, maintained a hefty bank account and a long list of endorsements during her campaign. She had captured nearly 70% of the vote, according to early returns posted at 10 p.m.

Board president Grace Rivera-Oven ran unopposed to keep her District 1 seat. In District 5, Elma‑Lorraine Diggs ran unopposed.

The winners will serve four-year terms on an eight-member board, which includes a student representative. As board members, they will oversee Maryland’s largest school district, of roughly 152,000 students.

The board votes on the district’s budget, evaluates its superintendent and sets policy. In a county known for its strong public school system, it’s been a launching pad for higher office.

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Members are paid $25,000 annually.