By MDBayNews Staff
As Maryland’s 2026 election cycle takes shape, the Montgomery County Republican Party (MCGOP) is quietly assembling a slate of candidates across federal, county, and local races—well ahead of the February 24, 2026, filing deadline.
Montgomery County remains one of the most Democratic jurisdictions in the state, but Republicans are signaling they intend to contest key offices, emphasizing fiscal restraint, public safety, and government accountability as voter concerns over taxes, cost of living, and governance continue to rise.
Filing Deadline and Candidate Activity
Candidate filing is ongoing through February 24, 2026, with local offices handled by the Montgomery County Board of Elections and state and federal offices overseen by the Maryland State Board of Elections.
The MCGOP website features a dedicated “2026 Candidates” page that links directly to official state listings. While the party has not yet released a formally endorsed slate, multiple Republican candidates have already filed or announced, with more expected in the coming weeks.
Federal Races: GOP Challenges Take Shape
U.S. House – District 6
Maryland’s 6th Congressional District includes northern Montgomery County, along with Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. Two Republican candidates have already filed:
- Chris Burnett — A retired Marine Corps officer and attorney from Gaithersburg, Burnett is running on border security, military readiness, accountability in government, and support for families and small businesses.
- Robin Ficker — A former state delegate and perennial candidate from Boyds, Ficker is campaigning on anti-corruption themes and economic reform, positioning himself as a long-shot insurgent voice.
U.S. House – District 8
Maryland’s 8th Congressional District includes much of Montgomery County and a portion of Prince George’s County. It is one of the most Democratic districts in the country. One Republican candidate has filed:
- Cheryl Riley — A Republican challenger running on cost-of-living concerns, public safety, education accountability, and opposition to one-party dominance in Montgomery County.
The Democratic incumbent is Jamie Raskin, who has represented the district since 2017 and is seeking re-election.
No additional GOP filings have been reported yet in Montgomery-linked congressional districts.
Montgomery County Executive: An Open Seat Draws GOP Interest
With incumbent County Executive Marc Elrich term-limited under rules approved by voters in 2024, the 2026 race is open for the first time in years.
- Shelly Skolnick — An attorney from the Chevy Chase/Friendship Heights area, Skolnick became the first Republican to file for County Executive in early January. While his platform has yet to be fully detailed, his candidacy ensures Republicans will have a presence in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary.
Former MCGOP chair Reardon Sullivan, the GOP nominee for County Executive in 2022, is also widely viewed as a potential entrant, though he has not formally filed as of mid-January.
County Council: Republicans Target Local Governance
All 11 seats on the Montgomery County Council are up for election in 2026. While Democrats dominate the current council, several Republicans have filed or announced runs, particularly in district-level races.
Notable filings include:
- Ricky Fai Mui (District 3) — A Navy veteran and community leader focusing on efficiency, education, and reducing government waste.
- Harold Maldonado (District 7) — A small business owner and lifelong county resident emphasizing public safety and economic growth.
In addition, the MCGOP is spotlighting several council candidates with backgrounds in engineering, IT, construction, military service, and entrepreneurship—many framing their campaigns around making Montgomery County more affordable and business-friendly.
State Legislative Races: Early and Sparse, for Now
Montgomery County spans multiple legislative districts in the Maryland General Assembly, including Districts 14–18 and 39–42. As of mid-January, Republican filings remain limited:
- Fitzgerald Mofor — Filed in District 9A, which overlaps Montgomery and Howard counties.
Historically, GOP challengers often file later in deep-blue districts, suggesting additional entries could still emerge before the deadline.
Party Infrastructure: Central Committee Races
Republican Central Committee seats—key organizational roles within the party—will also be on the 2026 primary ballot. Recent filings include:
- Brigitta Mullican (District 17)
- Doreen Rubin and Jeffrey Don Rubin (District 19)
These races shape the party’s grassroots operations, candidate recruitment, and endorsements heading into future cycles.
A Long Shot—but a Strategic One
Montgomery County remains one of the most challenging environments for Republicans in Maryland. Still, GOP candidates and party leaders argue that rising taxes, crime concerns, housing costs, and government transparency issues offer openings—particularly in local races where turnout is lower, and voter dissatisfaction runs deeper.
With more than a month remaining before the filing deadline, the full picture of Montgomery County’s 2026 Republican field is still coming into focus. Whether these early candidates can convert visibility into votes remains an open question—but the MCGOP is clearly intent on staying in the fight.
MDBayNews will continue tracking candidate filings, endorsements, and campaign developments as the 2026 primary approaches.
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