
Top 10 reasons why I stand behind Marc Elrich for County Executive
1. Leadership
Marc has never been hesitant to step up and speak up when it's time for change. He has shown strong leadership on many issues over the past 12 years and before that during his almost 20 years on the Takoma Park City Council. He knows how to get things done.
2. Integrity
Marc is honest, transparent and principled. You won't find Marc working behind closed doors with special interest entities at the 11th hour on county business or just before a vote is going to be cast. When he votes, his votes are based on collective feedback from constituents and his own exhaustive research that delivers facts instead of fiction. He is not afraid to stand his ground and cast the occasional dissenting vote on the Council because: a) it's the right thing to do, and b) he's voting to stand with county residents and serve as their voice. So is Marc's occasional single vote Marc acting "alone" on the Council? Not at all. He's voting on behalf of his constituents. And someone who is not going to put his finger to the wind to see which way the political winds are blowing. Marc is the real deal. What you see is what you get. He's genuine to the core. If you're tired of feeling like politicians are feeding you B.S. what they think you want to hear vs. the truth, then volunteer to help us with his campaign, support his campaign with a donation and vote in the June 26th primary.
3. Passion for good government
Through his work at the municipal level in Takoma Park and on the Council, it's obvious that Marc is dedicated to working with others to promote solid governance. And while good government is a goal for Marc, he is not your typical politician. There are times when his detractors or critics have faulted Marc for that. But I say that it makes him one of us -- a leader who is out to make government work better for taxpayers.
4. Intellect
We have smart people on our Montgomery County Council. But I have said for years that Marc is by far the smartest person there. The way that he approaches issues reminds me of the late Marilyn Praisner. He does his homework. He lines up the facts and data and he reads everything presented to him on the issues before making a decision. Marc drills down deep on the issues and knows what he's talking about.
5. Heavily invested in the county
Marc is a home-grown community guy. He was born in D.C. and raised in Montgomery County. Marc is a product of Montgomery County Public Schools. He is a former public school teacher as well. I first met Marc in 2004 when he was a community activist and Takoma Park City Council member promoting issues like affordable housing, rent control and environmental protection. Marc is committed to this community. He knows our schools and the challenges that students and teachers face. As a Montgomery native and from serving At Large on the Council for 12 years, Marc understands every population sector and every geographic corner of this county.
6. Environmental champion
Marc's voting record on environmental issues is squeaky clean and consistent. He is always on the right side of environmental issues. And he doesn't come back later to renege on legislation that has been passed. He's shown leadership on saving Ten Mile Creek the two tree bills passed in 2013, the County bag bill, the ban on cosmetic pesticides, and the list goes on. Those of us in the environmental community in Montgomery County know we can always count on Marc to cast the right votes to preserve vital natural resources.
7. Everyone's candidate
Marc represents everyone in this county, not just certain segments of the population. He has always fought to raise workers' wages and to make Montgomery county livable and affordable for everyone. Do you feel that you don't have a county decision maker's ear? Then you haven't been talking to Marc. He listens. He processes what he's hearing and he acts on the feedback. (See #3 on this list.) And is he "anti-development" or "anti-business"? Not at all. He meets with everyone and listens to all positions on the issues.
8. Temperament and character
You can disagree with Marc and be completely candid with him without feeling that he'll hold a grudge or lose his temper in a conversation. And believe me, as a constituent, I've had a number of tense discussions with Marc over the years. I can tell you firsthand that there's nothing vindictive about Marc's character. He's calm and again, bases his positions on feedback from all constituents and on the facts. Marc listens to his advisers. This is the kind of County Executive we want. The very fact that Marc has hired someone like me, who hasn't always agreed with him, speaks volumes about his temperament and character.
9. Committed to progressive leadership and causes
If you look at his record, Marc has been consistent in his support of progressive causes. He's fought for affordable housing and tenants' rights, for raising the minimum wage, ensuring public safety and other progressive causes. There is no need to belabor this. Marc's record speaks for itself.
10. Not beholden to special interests
Marc is the one and only candidate who has never accepted campaign contributions from developers. It's the only way to ensure that a politician is not beholden. For years, many of us in Montgomery County have been uncomfortable with the high level of developer influence in the county. Marc is going the public campaign financing route in this election. I'm proud of all of our candidates who are choosing this path rather than opting out so they can accept the big checks from donors who will expect favors later on in return. Marc is staying the course by choosing public financing. That leaves him in the position to be everyone's candidate -- instead of the guy who pandered to developers when he could have taken the high road instead. His campaign contributions are respectable, particularly since Marc's campaign didn't raise money by accepting big checks from developers and realtors.
Help Marc bring this over the finish line! Make a donation today at this link. If you have questions about my endorsement of Marc, please contact me. I'm happy to discuss my decision with you.
1. Leadership
Marc has never been hesitant to step up and speak up when it's time for change. He has shown strong leadership on many issues over the past 12 years and before that during his almost 20 years on the Takoma Park City Council. He knows how to get things done.
2. Integrity
Marc is honest, transparent and principled. You won't find Marc working behind closed doors with special interest entities at the 11th hour on county business or just before a vote is going to be cast. When he votes, his votes are based on collective feedback from constituents and his own exhaustive research that delivers facts instead of fiction. He is not afraid to stand his ground and cast the occasional dissenting vote on the Council because: a) it's the right thing to do, and b) he's voting to stand with county residents and serve as their voice. So is Marc's occasional single vote Marc acting "alone" on the Council? Not at all. He's voting on behalf of his constituents. And someone who is not going to put his finger to the wind to see which way the political winds are blowing. Marc is the real deal. What you see is what you get. He's genuine to the core. If you're tired of feeling like politicians are feeding you B.S. what they think you want to hear vs. the truth, then volunteer to help us with his campaign, support his campaign with a donation and vote in the June 26th primary.
3. Passion for good government
Through his work at the municipal level in Takoma Park and on the Council, it's obvious that Marc is dedicated to working with others to promote solid governance. And while good government is a goal for Marc, he is not your typical politician. There are times when his detractors or critics have faulted Marc for that. But I say that it makes him one of us -- a leader who is out to make government work better for taxpayers.
4. Intellect
We have smart people on our Montgomery County Council. But I have said for years that Marc is by far the smartest person there. The way that he approaches issues reminds me of the late Marilyn Praisner. He does his homework. He lines up the facts and data and he reads everything presented to him on the issues before making a decision. Marc drills down deep on the issues and knows what he's talking about.
5. Heavily invested in the county
Marc is a home-grown community guy. He was born in D.C. and raised in Montgomery County. Marc is a product of Montgomery County Public Schools. He is a former public school teacher as well. I first met Marc in 2004 when he was a community activist and Takoma Park City Council member promoting issues like affordable housing, rent control and environmental protection. Marc is committed to this community. He knows our schools and the challenges that students and teachers face. As a Montgomery native and from serving At Large on the Council for 12 years, Marc understands every population sector and every geographic corner of this county.
6. Environmental champion
Marc's voting record on environmental issues is squeaky clean and consistent. He is always on the right side of environmental issues. And he doesn't come back later to renege on legislation that has been passed. He's shown leadership on saving Ten Mile Creek the two tree bills passed in 2013, the County bag bill, the ban on cosmetic pesticides, and the list goes on. Those of us in the environmental community in Montgomery County know we can always count on Marc to cast the right votes to preserve vital natural resources.
7. Everyone's candidate
Marc represents everyone in this county, not just certain segments of the population. He has always fought to raise workers' wages and to make Montgomery county livable and affordable for everyone. Do you feel that you don't have a county decision maker's ear? Then you haven't been talking to Marc. He listens. He processes what he's hearing and he acts on the feedback. (See #3 on this list.) And is he "anti-development" or "anti-business"? Not at all. He meets with everyone and listens to all positions on the issues.
8. Temperament and character
You can disagree with Marc and be completely candid with him without feeling that he'll hold a grudge or lose his temper in a conversation. And believe me, as a constituent, I've had a number of tense discussions with Marc over the years. I can tell you firsthand that there's nothing vindictive about Marc's character. He's calm and again, bases his positions on feedback from all constituents and on the facts. Marc listens to his advisers. This is the kind of County Executive we want. The very fact that Marc has hired someone like me, who hasn't always agreed with him, speaks volumes about his temperament and character.
9. Committed to progressive leadership and causes
If you look at his record, Marc has been consistent in his support of progressive causes. He's fought for affordable housing and tenants' rights, for raising the minimum wage, ensuring public safety and other progressive causes. There is no need to belabor this. Marc's record speaks for itself.
10. Not beholden to special interests
Marc is the one and only candidate who has never accepted campaign contributions from developers. It's the only way to ensure that a politician is not beholden. For years, many of us in Montgomery County have been uncomfortable with the high level of developer influence in the county. Marc is going the public campaign financing route in this election. I'm proud of all of our candidates who are choosing this path rather than opting out so they can accept the big checks from donors who will expect favors later on in return. Marc is staying the course by choosing public financing. That leaves him in the position to be everyone's candidate -- instead of the guy who pandered to developers when he could have taken the high road instead. His campaign contributions are respectable, particularly since Marc's campaign didn't raise money by accepting big checks from developers and realtors.
Help Marc bring this over the finish line! Make a donation today at this link. If you have questions about my endorsement of Marc, please contact me. I'm happy to discuss my decision with you.