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By Authority: Reardon Sullivan for MoCo, Victoria Birkett, Treasurer. This advertising content was paid for by Reardon Sullivan for MoCo. The Baltimore Banner newsroom and editorial staff did not produce or participate in the creation of this content. The Baltimore Banner does not endorse candidates.
A Practical Voice for Montgomery County District 1
For more than 30 years, Reardon “Sully” Sullivan has owned and operated a professional engineering consulting firm in Montgomery County. His career centers on solving complicated design problems, balancing budgets, managing employees, and helping clients navigate government regulations.
Sullivan believes those practical skills are needed on the Montgomery County Council.
A lifelong Montgomery County resident, Sullivan graduated from Wootton High School and the University of Maryland. He is a professional engineer registered throughout the mid-Atlantic, a certified green design professional, and longtime small-business owner whose campaign is centered on common sense.
Sullivan’s family came to Montgomery County in 1966. His father chose Montgomery County for the school system and the proximity to Washington where he hoped to find a job in the federal government.
“My father worked his way up from a GS-3 file clerk to one of the first black GS-18s in the White House, working under three presidents,” Sullivan noted. “He was an amazing man, and the embodiment of the American dream. I believe that the American dream still exists.”
Why Run, Why Now?
Sullivan feels his opponent, Julie Yang, doesn’t have what it takes to make the hard decisions to effect positive change here in Montgomery County. “Montgomery County will be facing some very tough fiscal challenges in the next four years. I bring a unique perspective and experience having lived in the County, graduated from public school in the County, been a homeowner in the County for over 40 years, and owned a business in the County for the past 30 years,” Sullivan noted.
Campaign Philosophy
“If I had to summarize this campaign, it would be common sense,” Sullivan says.
Whether he is speaking with young families, longtime homeowners, renters, or seniors, Sullivan says the conversation often returns to the same basic concerns: common sense and the cost of living.
“County government cannot solve every financial challenge facing our residents,” Sullivan says. “But it should not make those challenges worse.”
That philosophy led Sullivan to organize the “Stop the Spend” charter amendment. That ballot question would have limited annual growth in County spending to the rate of inflation unless the entire County Council agrees that circumstances justify exceeding that limit.
“Regardless of political affiliation, most people understand that spending cannot grow faster than taxpayers’ ability to pay,” he says. “The Council must set priorities, carefully examine results, and make responsible choices.”
Sullivan argues that fiscal discipline does not mean abandoning essential services. It means establishing clear priorities and demanding better results from public spending.
“We can support excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, reliable infrastructure, and essential services while respecting the people who pay the bills,” he says.
County Job Growth
Sullivan noted, “Montgomery County has experienced weak job growth compared with neighboring jurisdictions.”
He added, “Businesses are leaving the County because of burdensome laws and regulations, while Northern Virginia has used artificial intelligence to identify and eliminate more than 26% of its redundant regulations.”
“Reducing unnecessary regulations means businesses spend less time and money on paperwork and more time creating jobs, serving customers, and growing,” Sullivan said. “Businesses invest where they have the opportunity to succeed, not where excessive regulations stand in their way.”
Expanding Housing While Respecting Neighborhoods
Sullivan agrees that Montgomery County needs more housing choices, but he does not believe broad, one-size-fits-all zoning changes are the right answer.
“New housing should fit the community and respect existing neighborhoods,” he says. “We need to consider traffic, school capacity, utilities, public safety, and the infrastructure required to support additional development.”
Sullivan believes future growth should be concentrated where infrastructure and transit can support it, including appropriate locations near Metro stations and established commercial centers.
“We can create additional housing opportunities without ignoring the character of existing neighborhoods,” he says. “Good planning begins with listening to the people who will be most directly affected.”
Improving Schools Through Accountability
Montgomery County Public Schools have long been one of the community’s greatest assets. As a graduate of Wootton High School, Sullivan believes preserving that reputation requires an honest assessment of student performance and a renewed focus on academic achievement.
Recent MCAP results show that Maryland students continue to struggle. Sullivan’s opponent, Julie Yang, has served on the Board of Education and as its president during a period of growing budgets and persistent academic challenges. Sullivan believes voters are entitled to ask whether those results justify continuing the same approach.
Looking Ahead
When voters ask what kind of Councilmember he would be, Sullivan offers a simple answer:
“I will listen. I will ask tough questions. I will insist on accountability, and I will focus on making Montgomery County more affordable, more competitive, and a better place to call home.”
For Sullivan, the campaign is ultimately about ensuring that Montgomery County remains a place where people of different ages, backgrounds, and political perspectives can build a future.
“We have extraordinary people, strong communities, and tremendous potential,” he says. “What we need now is practical leadership and the willingness to make thoughtful, responsible decisions.”
Learn more about Reardon “Sully” Sullivan and his campaign at ReardonSullivanForMoCo.com.
Paid political advertisement paid for by Reardon Sullivan for MoCo
By Authority: Reardon Sullivan for MoCo — Victoria Birkett, Treasurer