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Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee District 39 {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

Funciones: Dirigen las operaciones diarias del Partido Demócrata o Republicano local. Recomiendan candidatos al Gobernador para cubrir vacantes en la Asamblea General y en la Junta Electoral del Condado, entre otros asuntos. Sus miembros también integran los comités centrales estatales, que ayudan a elegir líderes nacionales del partido.Cómo se elige: Los demócratas registrados pueden votar por hasta ocho (8) candidatos demócratas At‑Large y hasta dos (2) candidatos demócratas en los distritos legislativos estatales 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 y 39. En el distrito 9A, los votantes pueden elegir solo un (1) candidato demócrata. No más de la mitad de los miembros pueden ser elegidos del mismo género.Período: Cuatro años, sin límite de períodos. Salario: No remunerado.Página Web: mcdcc.org

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    Hashan Chowdhury (Male)
    (Dem)

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    Lisette Orellana Engel (Female)
    (Dem)

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    Zane H. Jones (Male)
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Saher Kataria (Female)
    (Dem)

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    Marc Anthony Robles (Male)
    (Dem)

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    Emilee Towey (Female)
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

SPECIAL ELECTIONS: When a vacancy occurs in the General Assembly, the party Central Committee appoints someone to complete the rest of the term. Do you support special elections to fill these vacancies?

GENERAL ASSEMBLY VACANCIES: What criteria will you use to choose a person to fill a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly?

MOTIVATION: Why do you want to serve on your party's Central Committee?

VACANCY SELECTIONS: How can you ensure that your appointment decisions serve the best interest of the community when filling vacant positions?

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Campaign Phone 2404010753
Campaign Email lyorellana@gmail.com
Campaign Instagram lisette4mcdcc39
I prioritize equity and true representation above all else. While special elections are a democratic ideal, standalone "off-year" contests often suffer from low, non-representative turnout. I believe our immediate focus should be on modernizing the current appointment process to make it more transparent and accessible to the public. If we move toward special elections, they must be "rolled up" into regularly scheduled dates to ensure a broad, diverse electorate has the final say.
My primary criterion is "District Depth." I will prioritize candidates with a proven record of service specifically in our District. I will look for leaders who reflect our community's diversity and possess the professional or advocacy experience to be effective on day one in Annapolis. We need representatives who are not just party insiders, but who have demonstrated they can build coalitions across the diverse cultural landscape of District 39.
I am running to ensure D-39 has a bold, collaborative, and progressive voice in party leadership. Our community is a powerhouse of diversity, but many residents don’t feel connected or empowered. I wish to build a "year-round" party infrastructure focused on language accessibility and grassroots engagement. My goal is to help transform the MCDCC into a transparent resource that builds coalitions and increases turnout, reminding every voter of their power through bold, innovative leadership.
I will ensure the community’s interest by advocating for a bold, public-facing interview process. This includes hosting town halls where residents interact with applicants directly before a vote is cast. I will proactively seek input from local civic leaders and neighborhood associations to ensure appointees align with District 39’s unique needs. My vote will be a reflection of community consensus and coalition-building.
Campaign Twitter https://x.com/zanejonesD39
Campaign Phone 6019402101
Campaign Email zanobrown@gmail.com
Campaign Twitter Handle @https://x.com/zanejonesD39
Campaign Mailing Address 11204 Cool Breeze Pl
Germantown, MD 20876
I wholeheartedly support special elections to fill vacancies for the General Assembly. It is outside of the bounds of democratic principles for the process to select a representative to be done by a small, insular group. The Central Committee is not an electoral college, it is a body of dedicated local citizens who seek to build a broad-based coalition. Therefore, I do not suppose that they know better than the citizens of a given district. Yes to special elections.
When evaluating a potential candidate to fill a vacancy, I would rely first on their demonstrated commitment to foundational democratic principles. Second, I would asses their impact and service within their local community. Third, I would rely upon their demonstration of character, integrity, and trustworthiness. Fourth, I would seek a candidate who would NOT run in the next election due to the benefits of incumbency. Lastly, I would seek to hold numerous open consultations with the public.
I seek to serve on the Democratic Central Committee because I believe their is still work to be done on building a broad-based, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and intergenerational Party. One that will advocate not just on a partisan level but on a local level. A party that will connect with and engage youth, advocate to local democratic leaders for policies that benefit District 39, and continue building a Democratic Party. Democracy is on the ballot from now on and we need to fight for it.
When casting a vote for appointment, I would use the five metrics listed above. Further, I would rely heavily on their demonstrated commitment to the community they seek to serve. Support someone who would not seek to run in the general election. I would insist on an open process where there would be public meetings and would not support any self-dealing by the candidate or the committee. Finally, I would support a candidate with a strong general awareness of their community and its concerns.
Campaign Phone 240-584-9731
Campaign Email saher.m.kataria@gmail.com
Campaign Instagram vote.saherd39
I believe democratic legitimacy is incredibly important, and voters should have a voice in choosing their representatives whenever possible, as Special Elections can strengthen public trust. At the same time, I understand that central committee appointments are intended to ensure continuity and avoid long vacancies in office. If special elections are to be used, they should be structured in a way that's timely, accessible, and fiscally responsible.
I believe Maryland should be represented by someone who is deeply rooted in the community and truly listens to the people they serve. I would look for a leader who uplifts all voices, shows up consistently, and leads with empathy and integrity. When filling a vacancy, it's important they have a proven record of service, understand the district, and will put the community first...because that's how you earn trust. Our representative can't just talk about change; but actually make it happen.
I’m running for the DCC because young people and communities like mine deserve real representation. Growing up in District 39, I’ve seen both its opportunities and challenges, and I want to use my perspective to advocate for everyone’s voice. I believe civic engagement should empower, not intimidate, and I’m ready to help everyone feel more engaged with our government. This committee will help me on my mission to shape the future of our community.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone 2408010002
Campaign Instagram @marcrobles4mcdcc
I do not support special elections until turnout reflects full demographic representation. Off‑year elections and primaries skew older and whiter, while Central Committee members are elected by their own diverse districts and better reflect community voices when filling vacancies. I’d be more open to special elections if rolled into a general election.
I value lived experience and a candidate’s ability to genuinely relate to their district while understanding the needs of others. I look for a clear platform that reflects district priorities and a real ability to find common ground. A résumé matters, but the work they’ve done in the party and community matters more. I will hold their record of work to the same standard as I would their voting record if appointed.
I’ve already served one term on the Central Committee, and I’m committed to running again to continue the grassroots organizing I’ve been doing. My focus is on energizing voters and working to raise the turnout numbers that have challenged our elections for far too long. As a Mexican‑American and former veteran, I see this work as an extension of service of country to all people of my county, guided by the spirit of my people. My 'why' has always been people first.
Integrity guides every appointment decision I make. My ‘why’ has always been people first—their needs before my own. I take seriously the responsibility to understand residents from every corner of the county, and I plan to continue hosting listening sessions and community‑focused events to stay connected to the priorities of all districts. That ongoing engagement ensures my decisions reflect the best interests of the community.
Campaign Email etoweymcdcc@gmail.com
Campaign Instagram instagram.com/emileetowey13
Campaign Mailing Address 268 Urban Ave
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-4034
Historically, the DCC has done a great job appointing diverse and qualified candidates to the General Assembly. However, I believe the most democratic thing to do is to return the power back to the people to decide who they want to represent them. With all the corruption taking place at the federal government level, it is important to preserve our democratic processes at the local and state level. In order to increase democratic legitimacy, I support special elections to fill these vacancies.
My goal would be to select a candidate who has a strong record of commitment and understanding of their community. I would consider how well they reflect the diversity and lived experiences of their district. I would look for someone who aligns with Democratic values and has demonstrated their integrity, experience serving the community, and knows how to navigate the legislative process and work collaboratively with their colleagues, while still prioritizing their constituents' needs.
I am a lifelong Montgomery County resident with experience in government, politics, and nonprofits. I want to serve on the DCC to ensure elected officials stay connected to the communities they represent and to bring new voices and young people into civic engagement through increasing voter registration and participation. Serving on the DCC would give me the opportunity to contribute to a Democratic party that reflects the values, interests, and diversity of all residents in Montgomery County.
I would ensure that my appointment decisions serve the best interest of the community by following a fair and transparent process. I would solicit applications from a diverse pool of applicants and evaluate candidates based on their character, experience, knowledge of district issues, and their proven commitment of listening to residents. I would strongly consider input from the public so that the appointee reflects constituents’ priorities and values.