Businessman and former Maryland Congressman David Trone has endorsed Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass in the 2026 Democratic County Executive primary race. It's a significant development in the contest for two reasons. One is that Trone's endorsement is valuable politically, as Glass is running in the same "pragmatic centrist" lane as rival Democratic Councilmember Andrew Friedson. Backing from one of the most successful business owners in the county will be a signal to others in the business community.
The second, and most valuable, benefit of Trone's endorsement is even simpler: money. Friedson has plenty of it in his campaign chest. If Trone is willing to spend, and coach others in his Rolodex of powerful local and national Democrats, that will help Glass stay afloat amid the big developer bucks funding Friedson. The most shocking part of the endorsement is that Trone has hired Friedson in the past, and knows him well. To then choose Glass over Friedson says a lot, and certainly gives Glass something to crow about. If nothing else, it shows very skilled political maneuvering on the part of Glass.
Also shocking: the lack of Democrats filing to run for an open executive seat, the highest office in Montgomery County. Is this now a job that few want, as the County faces tough financial times ahead, a structural deficit, heavy debt, and a taxpayer base our leaders have already bled dry with yearly tax hikes? Is the next generation of progressive leadership in Montgomery County privately being told to stay on the sidelines for another 8 years?
Only Councilmember Will Jawando is running in the Marc Elrich progressive lane so far. He is unlikely to match Glass and Friedson in dollars. But he has a chance over the next 11 months to campaign to retain as much of the winning Elrich primary coalition as possible, while Glass and Friedson split the centrist vote. And while Trone is only a multimillionaire, Jawando may also have gained some stump material about the strong support his opponents have from the billionaire oligarchy.
9 comments:
Love your insight and commentary on how the facts interrelate. Thanks!
Who is David Trone? Never heard of the guy. Did he ever do ANYTHING?
Sad that the choice is between really bad, (Glass), and completely insane, (Jawando). Congratulations MC voters, you deserve what you vote for.
8:24 - Excellent point.
he's done a lot more than you...total wine
Did you mean “Total Whine” ?
Would have been funnier. But maybe your not so clever.
I'm a realist and just hope that we (Maryland) can stay "less bad,' or 'equally bad,' with our electors versus 'more bad' like Illinois, New York, and California. Long row to hoe.
How long will it be until these leftists put up a candidate like Mandani or AOC? We already have room temperature IQ Raskin.
The voter base here would kill puppies if Trump came out in favor of them. TDS rules everything in Rockville & Annapolis.
4:19: Very true - I've never heard such praise from the media for high fructose corn syrup as I have this weekend. It was the most-villainized ingredient on Earth until Trump made his cane sugar Coke announcement.
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