On the ballot for this year’s local elections, no list of candidates stands out more than for at-large county councilmember. Only one incumbent is running — Laurie Anne Sayles. While name recognition may give candidates an edge, a track record can be a two-edged sword.
This election, the choices include people with a wide range of experiences and endorsements. With only four possible boxes to check out of the 17 names, it poses a formidable challenge for the voter.
By way of a brief history, this is not the first time so many have enlisted for the position. In 2018, thanks to term limits, 33 names were on the ballot. In the early days of the County Charter, all councilmembers were at-large. Over time, with population growth and evolving voting districts, the county arrived at its current configuration, which allows for seven district councilmembers and four at-large councilmembers.
So, how to choose? To learn more about the candidates and their policies, click their names to visit their websites. Many of them recorded Candidate Statements with MCM, which are available on YouTube.
- Fatmata Barrie (D)
- Josie Caballero (D)
- Radwan Chowdhury (D)
- Dana Eugene Gassaway (D)
- Scott Goldberg (D)
- Hamza Khan (D)
- Matt Losak (D)
- Jim McNulty (D)
- Jeremiah Pope (D)
- Laurie-Anne Sayles (D)
- Prabu Selvam (D)
- Karla Silvestre (D)
- Steve Solomon (D)
- Lelia B. True (D)
- Vicki Vergagni (D)
- Muhammad Arif Wali (D)
- Sherwin Wells (R)
On another historical note, one of the current candidates, Marc Elrich, has served as County Executive and now looks to return to the Council as an at-large member. It won’t be a first. Neal Potter successfully accomplished that turnaround in 1994, when, as retiring County Executive, he won the at-large race and served until 1998.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 23. For in-person voting, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked or submitted in a drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday to be counted.
