Ashman declares victory over Shaw in District 3 council race

Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman declared victory Tuesday evening in the race to represent District 3 on the Montgomery County Council.

Ashman had secured nearly 46% of the Democratic primary vote as of Wednesday morning, beating Rockville City Council member Izola Shaw by fewer than 400 votes.

“What I’ve learned in City Hall is what I want to bring to the County: fiscal responsibility, a growing tax base, and a place where families of every age can actually afford to stay and build a life,” Ashman said in his victory statement.

The primary in the deeply blue county generally determines the winner of November’s general election. Ashman will face Ricky Fai Mui, the only Republican to seek the seat, in the general election.

Ashman noted the Republican challenger in his statement, and said “there’s still a lot of work ahead.”

The winner in the general election will fill the seat currently held by term-limited Council member Sidney Katz.

While Shaw earned more votes on primary day, June 23, Ashman prevailed in early voting and mail-in ballots.

Shaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Banner.

Ashman has been mayor of Gaithersburg since 2014. He served on the Gaithersburg City Council from 2007 until his election as mayor.

During the campaign, he said that as a County Council member he would focus on economic development, revitalizing aging neighborhoods and increasing the affordable housing supply.

Shaw, a former federal worker, has served since 2023 on the Rockville City Council, where she focused on affordable housing and workers’ rights. She campaigned for County Council on those issues as well as strengthening county schools.

The result leaves one unresolved primary contest for a seat on the 11-member County Council: Karla Silvestre and Fatmata Barrie are vying for an at-large slot.

That race began with 17 Democrats. The four top vote-getters advance to the general election.