Marc Elrich

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Marc Elrich
Evan Glass,
Will Jawando
Member of the Takoma Park City Council
In office
1987–2006
Personal details
Born (1949-11-02) November 2, 1949 (age 74)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Socialists of America
Children4
Residence(s)Takoma Park, Maryland, U.S.
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

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. He was once arrested at an anti-apartheid rally.[3] 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]

Elrich served on the Takoma Park City Council from 1987 to 2006.[2]

He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[7]

Political career

Montgomery County Council

Elrich ran for the county council four times before getting elected in 2006.[8] Since that time, he has served three terms. He was elected with the most votes of any candidate in 2010 and 2014.[9] 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.[10][11]

He worked to have environmental concerns addressed in the Clarksburg Master Plan and he spearheaded the effort to protect

bag tax to fund environmental cleanup efforts.[18] He was lead sponsor of a bill to require large gas stations to be at least 500 feet from schools and parks.[19]

In 2013, Elrich was the lead sponsor of legislation to increase the county's

Ike Legget.[21] 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.[22] At the time of the bill's passage, the State of Maryland's minimum wage was $9.25 per hour.[23]

Elrich voted against the

Lyttonsville Sector Plan because he stated that it would increase housing costs and force residents to move out,[26] as well as the Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan.[27] 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.[28] In 1995, he joined with community members and fought against a proposed mega mall in downtown Silver Spring.[6]

Montgomery County Executive

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.[29]

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.[30]

Positions on housing

In 2013, Elrich was the lone vote to oppose a plan to preserve affordable housing along the

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.[33]

During his tenure, Elrich has said he has tried to preserve affordable housing.[34][35][36] Elrich has opposed market-rate housing construction,[37][34] and higher density near public transit stations.[2] 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.[38] He has cast doubt on projections by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on the need for more middle-income and low-income housing.[39][38] 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.[40]

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.[38] In 2019, he said he would prevent tearing down affordable housing to "build housing for millennials."[41] 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.[37] Elrich has frequently called for higher taxes on real estate developers.[38]

Liberal activists have characterized Elrich as a NIMBY.[37]

Personal life

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] On January 1, 2022 it was announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19.[42]

2018 elections

Primary election results

The Democratic primary election was held on June 26, 2018.[43]

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

The general election was held on November 6, 2018.[44]

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

Primary election results

The Montgomery County executive primary election was held on July 19, 2022.[45] 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.[46] Elrich ended up winning the recount by 32 votes.[47]

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

The general election was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Elrich defeated Montgomery County GOP chairman Reardon Sullivan.[48]

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

  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. ^ a b c "Marc B. Elrich, County Executive, Montgomery County, Maryland". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ a b Peck, Louis (March 21, 2013). "The Contrarian of the County Council". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c 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. ^ "Montgomery County, Maryland – Election Returns". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Andrew (March 28, 2017). "Marc Elrich Formally Launches County Executive Campaign". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  10. ^ "Spending, taxes are focus of Montgomery primaries". The Washington Post. July 10, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Board, Editorial (May 26, 2014). "Democratic endorsements for the Montgomery County Council". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  12. ^ O'Rourke, Kevin (October 23, 2014). "Germantown Pulse News for Germantown Md". Germantown Pulse News for Germantown Md. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "Ten Mile Creek Reaction". mymcmedia. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  14. ^ Reed, Dan. "Montgomery looks to strengthen urban tree canopy". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  15. ^ Turque, Bill (October 7, 2015). "Five things to know about Montgomery County's cosmetic pesticides ban". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  16. ^ Ryan, Kate (March 22, 2016). "Is there lead in Montgomery County's artificial turf fields?". WTOP. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  17. ^ "Resolution to Support Use of Plant-Derived Materials for Infill in Artificial Turf" (PDF). Montgomery County Council. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  18. ^ Laris, Michael (May 3, 2011). "Montgomery County Council passes 5-cent bag tax". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  19. ^ Shay, Kevin James. "Residents seek 500-foot buffer from large gas stations". www.gazette.net. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  20. ^ Turque, Bill (November 26, 2013). "Montgomery Council votes to increase minimum wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  21. ^ Turque, Bill (January 23, 2017). "Leggett vetoes $15 minimum wage in Montgomery County". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  22. ^ Siegel, Rachel (November 7, 2017). "Montgomery County Council unanimously approves $15 minimum-wage". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  23. ^ Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights (August 14, 2015). "Wage Commission: Wages". CivilRights.BaltimoreCity.gov. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  24. ^ Earley, Neal. "Council hopes to spur growth south of Rockville". Montgomery County Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  25. ^ Earley, Neal. "County approves new Bethesda sector plan". Montgomery County Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  26. Bethesda Magazine
    . Bethesda, Md. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  27. Bethesda Magazine
    . Bethesda, Md. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  28. ^ Turque, Bill (February 14, 2017). "Montgomery Council approves revised White Oak science center plan". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  29. ^ Turque, Bill (March 28, 2017). "Montgomery council member Marc Elrich enters 2018 race for county executive". Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  30. ^ "Maryland governor criticizes ban of 'thin blue line' flag". Associated Press News. Associated Press. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  31. ^ Dan Reed (November 17, 2017). "Montgomery County's Marc Elrich compares Purple Line development to "ethnic cleansing"". ggwash.org.
  32. ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  33. ^ Tallman, Douglas (November 16, 2017). "Councilmember Under Fire for "Ethnic Cleansing" Comment". Montgomery Community Media. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  34. ^
    ISSN 0190-8286
    .
  35. ^ "Tangle in Takoma: Elrich and Leventhal vie for County Executive seat". Takoma Voice. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  36. ISSN 0190-8286
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  37. ^
    ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  38. ^ a b c d "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.
  39. ^ "Is Montgomery County's Top Official Practicing 'NIMBYism In Disguise?'". WAMU. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  40. ^ Alpert, David (June 12, 2019). "Marc Elrich says middle-income housing isn't a big priority for Montgomery County". ggwash.org.
  41. ISSN 0190-8286
    .
  42. ^ "Montgomery Co. Executive Marc Elrich tests positive for COVID-19". January 2022.
  43. ^ "Montgomery County, Maryland – Primary Election Returns 2018". Maryland State Archives. December 21, 2018.
  44. ^ "Montgomery County, Maryland – General Election Returns 2018". Maryland State Archives. December 21, 2018.
  45. ^ "Montgomery Co. update: Elrich leading Blair by 42 votes with just 34 ballots left to count". Microsoft Start MSN News. August 6, 2022.
  46. ^ Umaña, José (August 7, 2022). "Blair to request recount in tight race for Montgomery Co. executive". WTOP News. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  47. ^ "Blair concedes to Elrich as Montgomery County Executive primary recount gets certified". WJLA-TV. August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  48. ^ "Montgomery County, Maryland - General Election Returns 2022". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2023.

External links

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