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Marc Elrich

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Marc Elrich
Elrich in 2014
7th Executive of Montgomery County
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
Preceded byIke Leggett
Member of the
Montgomery County Council
from the at-large district
In office
December 2006 – December 3, 2018
Preceded bySteven Silverman
Michael Subin
Succeeded byGabe Albornoz
Evan Glass
Will Jawando
Personal details
Born (1949-11-02) November 2, 1949 (age 76)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Children4
EducationUniversity of Maryland, College Park (BA)
Johns Hopkins University (MA)
Signature

Marc B. Elrich (born November 2, 1949) is an American politician serving as the county executive of Montgomery County, Maryland.[1] He is a former member of the Montgomery County Council and the Takoma Park City Council.[2] He became the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County Executive in the 2018 primary before winning the general election.

Early life and career

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Elrich in the Albert Einstein High School yearbook, 1967

Marc Elrich was born in Washington, D.C., near Takoma Park. His father was a postal worker and his mother was a waitress.[3] When he was ten, his family moved to Silver Spring. In 1963, he went to hear Martin Luther King Jr. speak at the March on Washington.[4] He attended Albert Einstein High School in Kensington and the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the Students for a Democratic Society. He worked as a manager in the automotive department at Montgomery Ward before getting a master's degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University.[5]

Elrich taught 4th and 5th grade for 17 years at Rolling Terrace Elementary.[6] He served on the Takoma Park City Council from 1987 to 2006.[2] During this time he was arrested at an anti-apartheid rally.[3]

Elrich is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America,[7] and has identified as socialist since he attended college.[8]

Political career

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Montgomery County Council

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Elrich ran for the county council four times before getting elected in 2006.[9] Since that time, he has served three terms. He was elected with the most votes of any candidate in 2010 and 2014.[10] The Washington Post endorsed his candidacy in 2010 and 2014, stating that he was viewed as somewhat anti-business, but advocated a business-beneficial transit system and had a strong focus on efficiency and the development and planning process.[11][12]

He worked to have environmental concerns addressed in the Clarksburg Master Plan and he spearheaded the effort to protect Tenmile Creek.[13] The amendment that was passed requires development to supply environmental protections. He considered protecting the stream one of his highest environmental concerns at the time.[14] He supported one bill protecting the tree canopy and sponsored another protecting street trees. Both were voted into law.[15] He advocated for the elimination of cosmetic use of pesticides on private lawns because of their cancer-causing chemicals helping the county become the first locality in the country to do so and was considered a key co-sponsor of the legislation.[16] He advocated against the use of artificial playing turfs that contain lead and other cancer-causing ingredients[17] and sponsored a resolution banning crumb rubber turfs.[18] He voted for the Montgomery county five-cent bag tax to fund environmental cleanup efforts.[19] He was lead sponsor of a bill to require large gas stations to be at least 500 feet (150 m) from schools and parks.[20]

In 2013, Elrich was the lead sponsor of legislation to increase the county's minimum wage, which raised it to $11.50 per hour.[21] Elrich twice was the lead sponsor of legislation to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour in Montgomery County. In January 2017, a bill passed in the Council and was vetoed by then County Executive Ike Legget.[22] In November 2017, a second bill passed and was signed into law, making Montgomery County the first county in Maryland with a $15 per hour minimum wage.[23] At the time of the bill's passage, the State of Maryland's minimum wage was $9.25 per hour.[24]

Montgomery County Executive

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In 2017, Elrich declared his candidacy for county executive. He participated in public financing. The largest allowed contribution is $150. He did not accept money from developers or land use attorneys.[25]

In 2019, Elrich banned Montgomery County police stations from displaying thin blue line flags. Acknowledging that the flag was a symbol of "support" to some and a symbol of "divisiveness" to others, he drew criticism from Governor Larry Hogan for the policy.[26]

In 2019, The Washington Post editorial board called Elrich's decision to block construction of communication towers in Montgomery County a "victory for NIMBYism."[27]

Positions on housing and development

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In 2013, Elrich was the lone vote to oppose a plan to preserve affordable housing along the Purple Line light rail corridor.[28] In 2017, Elrich was criticized for describing the council's plan to allow denser housing construction around the stations of the planned 16-mile (26 km) Purple Line as "ethnic cleansing".[29] He said he was sorry if his language was offensive, but he defended his comment saying that this is not just a Montgomery County problem but a nationwide problem and a "well-known fact" of what happens when rail lines take over communities.[30]

During his tenure, Elrich has said he has tried to preserve affordable housing.[31][32][33] Elrich has opposed market-rate housing construction,[34][31] and higher density near public transit stations.[2] He has opposed allowing duplexes, fourplexes and sixplexes in some neighborhoods that are exclusively zoned for single-family housing.[35][36] In 2019, Elrich opposed a nonbinding council resolution to build 10,000 more housing units (most of them affordable housing) by 2030, saying that the county cannot afford to build that much affordable housing.[37] He has cast doubt on projections by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on the need for more middle-income and low-income housing.[38][37] In 2019, Elrich said that he rejected the concept of missing middle housing, and said that Montgomery County did not lack housing for middle earners.[39]

In 2019, he opposed a zoning change that allowed homeowners on single-family zoning plots to build accessory dwelling units, saying that it would "fundamentally alter" neighborhood character and not lead to more affordable housing – the zoning change was approved unanimously by the council.[37] In 2019, he said he would prevent tearing down affordable housing to "build housing for millennials."[40] In 2020, Elrich vetoed a bill giving tax breaks to developers who built high-rise buildings on top of Metro stations, but the council overrode his veto.[34] Elrich has frequently called for higher taxes on real estate developers.[37]

Housing activists have characterized Elrich as a NIMBY.[34][41]

Elrich voted against the White Flint Mall II sector plan because Elrich stated that the plan would have created 6,000 residential units located too far from a Metro station.[42] He voted against the Bethesda Master Plan because it failed to consider the effect the increased density would have on roads and schools.[43] He voted against the Lyttonsville Sector Plan because he stated that it would increase housing costs and force residents to move out,[44] as well as the Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan.[45] He opposed a proposal to sell land adjacent to the White Oak Food and Drug Administration campus because local roads and infrastructure were not equipped to handle additional traffic and students.[46] In 1995, he joined with community members and fought against a proposed mega mall in downtown Silver Spring.[6]

In June 2026, Elrich released an executive order to place a six-month moratorium on data center permits.[47]

2026 Montgomery County Council election

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During the 2024 elections, Montgomery County voters approved a referendum backed by the Montgomery County Republican Party to limit the county executive to two consecutive terms, blocking Elrich from running for a third term.[48] On November 18, 2024, Elrich announced that he would run for an at-large seat on the Montgomery County Council in 2026.[49]

Personal life

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Elrich has four children. Two were foster children, including a son who has Down syndrome. He has lived in Takoma Park for most of his life.[5] He is Jewish.[6]

2018 elections

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Primary election results

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The Democratic primary election was held on June 26, 2018.[50]

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marc Elrich 37,532 29.02
Democratic David Blair 37,455 28.96
Democratic Rose Krasnow 19,644 15.19
Democratic Roger Berliner 16,710 12.92
Democratic George L. Levanthal 13,318 10.30
Democratic Bill Frick 4,687 3.62
Majority 77 0.06
Total votes 129,346 100.00

General election results

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The general election was held on November 6, 2018.[51]

Montgomery County Executive election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marc Elrich 225,900 64.3%
Independent Nancy Floreen 67,402 19.2%
Republican Robin Ficker 57,489 16.4%
Write-ins 356 0.1%
Majority 158,498 45.1%
Total votes 351,150 100.0%

2022 elections

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Primary election results

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The Montgomery County executive primary election was held on July 19, 2022.[52] On August 6, Elrich declared victory with a 42 vote lead over Blair, but Blair released a statement saying he would request a recount pursuant to Maryland law.[53] Elrich ended up winning the recount by 32 votes.[54]

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marc Elrich 55,504 39.20
Democratic David Blair 55,472 39.18
Democratic Hans Riemer 28,193 19.91
Democratic Peter James 2,429 1.72
Total votes 141,598 100.00

General election results

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The general election was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Elrich defeated Montgomery County GOP chairman Reardon Sullivan.[55]

Montgomery County Executive election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Marc Elrich (incumbent) 251,897 75.11% +10.37
Republican Reardon Sullivan 81,410 24.27% +8.06
Write-in 2,083 0.62% +0.52
Total votes 335,390 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ↑ Barrios, Jennifer (December 3, 2018). "Elrich promises change, 'more just society,' as he becomes Montgomery executive". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "Marc B. Elrich, County Executive, Montgomery County, Maryland". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Hendrix, Steve (October 12, 2010). "Marc Elrich's pragmatism belies his radical reputation". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  4. ↑ Kohn, Greg (December 10, 2011). "Marc Elrich and BRT: a political outsider scores a surprising success". Takoma Voice. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Peck, Louis (March 21, 2013). "The Contrarian of the County Council". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Schere, Dan (June 28, 2017). "Three Jews vie for MoCo executive job". washingtonjewishweek.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  7. ↑ Barrios, Jennifer (June 18, 2018). "Marc Elrich: Candidate wants developers to pay more, would preserve social safety net". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hutzell, Rick (December 30, 2025). "Hutzell: Marc Elrich is Maryland's top socialist. It's not an insult". thebanner.com. The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Montgomery County, Maryland – Election Returns". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  10. ↑ Metcalf, Andrew (March 28, 2017). "Marc Elrich Formally Launches County Executive Campaign". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Spending, taxes are focus of Montgomery primaries". The Washington Post. July 10, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  12. ↑ Board, Editorial (May 26, 2014). "Democratic endorsements for the Montgomery County Council". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  13. ↑ O'Rourke, Kevin (October 23, 2014). "Germantown Pulse News for Germantown Md". Germantown Pulse News for Germantown Md. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Ten Mile Creek Reaction". mymcmedia. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  15. ↑ Reed, Dan. "Montgomery looks to strengthen urban tree canopy". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  16. ↑ Turque, Bill (October 7, 2015). "Five things to know about Montgomery County's cosmetic pesticides ban". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  17. ↑ Ryan, Kate (March 22, 2016). "Is there lead in Montgomery County's artificial turf fields?". WTOP. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Resolution to Support Use of Plant-Derived Materials for Infill in Artificial Turf" (PDF). Montgomery County Council. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  19. ↑ Laris, Michael (May 3, 2011). "Montgomery County Council passes 5-cent bag tax". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  20. ↑ Shay, Kevin James. "Residents seek 500-foot buffer from large gas stations". www.gazette.net. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  21. ↑ Turque, Bill (November 26, 2013). "Montgomery Council votes to increase minimum wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  22. ↑ Turque, Bill (January 23, 2017). "Leggett vetoes $15 minimum wage in Montgomery County". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  23. ↑ Siegel, Rachel (November 7, 2017). "Montgomery County Council unanimously approves $15 minimum-wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  24. ↑ Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights (August 14, 2015). "Wage Commission: Wages". CivilRights.BaltimoreCity.gov. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  25. ↑ Turque, Bill (March 28, 2017). "Montgomery council member Marc Elrich enters 2018 race for county executive". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Maryland governor criticizes ban of 'thin blue line' flag". Associated Press News. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Marc Elrich gives NIMBYism a victory over safety in Montgomery County". The Washington Post. 2019.
  28. ↑ Dan Reed (November 17, 2017). "Montgomery County's Marc Elrich compares Purple Line development to "ethnic cleansing"". ggwash.org.
  29. ↑ Siegel, Rachel (November 15, 2017). "Democratic candidates for Montgomery County executive debate how to build and protect a strong, local economy". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  30. ↑ Tallman, Douglas (November 16, 2017). "Councilmember Under Fire for "Ethnic Cleansing" Comment". Montgomery Community Media. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  31. 1 2 Rebecca Tan (January 7, 2022). "In a liberal Maryland suburb, social justice reshapes the political debate over housing". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  32. ↑ "Tangle in Takoma: Elrich and Leventhal vie for County Executive seat". Takoma Voice. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  33. ↑ Rebecca Tan (November 20, 2019). "There's a plan to fix the DMV's affordable housing crisis. But a key player's not on board". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  34. 1 2 3 "Under attack, Montgomery County's Marc Elrich says he's misunderstood". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Montgomery Co. Exec. Elrich says initiative pitched as promoting affordable housing is 'misleading' and 'a fraud'". WTOP News. September 26, 2024.
  36. ↑ Bell, Brad (January 13, 2025). "Opposition to controversial attainable housing strategy is growing in Montgomery County". WJLA.
  37. 1 2 3 4 "A Battle Over Housing Is Brewing In The 2022 Montgomery County Executive Race". DCist. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Is Montgomery County's Top Official Practicing 'NIMBYism In Disguise?'". WAMU. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  39. ↑ Alpert, David (June 12, 2019). "Marc Elrich says middle-income housing isn't a big priority for Montgomery County". ggwash.org.
  40. ↑ Jennifer Barrios (January 17, 2019). "Elrich takes heat for comment about housing for 'millennials'". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  41. ↑ "Town Talker: Affluent but in decline, Montgomery County to pick future". Axios. 2022.
  42. ↑ Earley, Neal. "Council hopes to spur growth south of Rockville". Montgomery County Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  43. ↑ Earley, Neal. "County approves new Bethesda sector plan". Montgomery County Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  44. ↑ Rodgers, Bethany (February 7, 2017). "County Council Approves Lyttonsville Development Plan". Bethesda Magazine. Bethesda, Md. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  45. ↑ Kraut, Aaron (July 30, 2013). "Council Finalizes Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan". Bethesda Magazine. Bethesda, Md. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  46. ↑ Turque, Bill (February 14, 2017). "Montgomery Council approves revised White Oak science center plan". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  47. ↑ "Montgomery County rolls out six-month moratorium on data center permits". WTOP News. June 13, 2026. Retrieved June 22, 2026.
  48. ↑ Bixby, Ginny (November 6, 2024). "Elrich facing final two years in office after term-limit referendum passes". MoCo360. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  49. ↑ Bixby, Ginny (November 18, 2024). "Elrich will reportedly run for County Council". MoCo360. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  50. ↑ "Montgomery County, Maryland – Primary Election Returns 2018". Maryland State Archives. December 21, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Montgomery County, Maryland – General Election Returns 2018". Maryland State Archives. December 21, 2018.
  52. ↑ "Montgomery Co. update: Elrich leading Blair by 42 votes with just 34 ballots left to count". Microsoft Start MSN News. August 6, 2022.
  53. ↑ Umaña, José (August 7, 2022). "Blair to request recount in tight race for Montgomery Co. executive". WTOP News. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  54. ↑ "Blair concedes to Elrich as Montgomery County Executive primary recount gets certified". WJLA-TV. August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  55. ↑ "Montgomery County, Maryland - General Election Returns 2022". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
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