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Jud Ashman Vying To Bring Years Of Mayoral Work To County Council.Politics & Government Jud Ashman Vying To Bring Years Of Mayoral Work To County Council Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman tells Patch he's bringing nearly 20 years' worth of political experience to the County Council.MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Ahead of the primary elections in June, Patch has invited candidates running to represent the 3rd District on the Montgomery County Council to complete a questionnaire touching on a variety of key issues.Candidate responses will be published verbatim in the run-up to the primaries on Tuesday, June 23.Related: Find out what's happening in Rockvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.Questionnaire responses for Jud Ashman, who is running to serve the 3rd District, can be found below: Name: Jud Ashman Find out what's happening in Rockvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.Age: 55 Hometown: Gaithersburg Political Affiliation: Democratic Do you have any previous political experience?If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.I have served as mayor of Gaithersburg — the most diverse city in America — for the past 12 years, following seven years on the City Council.Over more than 18 years in elected office, I’ve gained hands-on experience crafting public policy, building partnerships across all levels of government, and leading in a collaborative, results-oriented way.That experience has taught me how to navigate complex challenges and turn ideas into action.In Gaithersburg, we’ve delivered high-quality services while maintaining the lowest property tax rate among Maryland’s large cities and remaining debt-free.That record reflects a commitment to fiscal discipline, smart growth, and responsive government.I will bring that same pragmatic, results-driven approach to the County Council — focused on delivering real outcomes and improving quality of life for residents across the community.What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent?How do you intend to address those issues?The single most important issue facing voters in this district is housing affordability.Too many families — whether they’re renters, first-time buyers, or seniors looking to downsize — are struggling to find housing they can afford.That’s not just a housing issue; it’s an economic and quality-of-life issue that affects everything from workforce stability to school enrollment to whether people can stay in the communities they love.The root of the problem is that we haven’t built enough housing to keep up with demand.To address this, I will focus on increasing supply — streamlining the approval process, encouraging a wider range of housing types and prices, and ensuring we are building in the right places with the infrastructure to support it.At the same time, we need to protect and support current residents.That means targeted tenant protections, strategic investments in affordable housing, and strong partnerships with the nonprofit and private sectors.We help our residents when we give them housing choice.My goal is to make Montgomery County a place where people at every stage of life can find a home they can afford — and a community they can stay in.How do you differ from other candidates running against you?The biggest difference is experience.I bring a long, proven track record of delivering results, a clear vision for where we need to go, and a deep commitment to this community.There’s no guesswork with me.After more than 18 years of making highly accountable, public decisions, voters can see exactly how I lead — my values, how I handle challenges, and how I work with others to get results.As mayor of Gaithersburg, I’ve led the nation’s most diverse city through both opportunity and uncertainty — keeping our finances strong, investing in public safety, supporting small businesses, and expanding housing and economic development.We’ve done that while maintaining the lowest property tax rate among Maryland’s large cities and earning consistently high marks from our residents.This race also reflects two different approaches.My opponents largely represent the status quo — an approach that has coincided with stagnant job growth, insufficient housing production, and continued pressure to raise taxes.I’m offering a different path, one that embraces smart growth, expands opportunity, and makes our county more affordable and competitive.How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?As mayor of Gaithersburg, I’ve spent over a decade overseeing a complex organization, balancing budgets, and delivering results for a diverse and growing community.That experience has shaped my focus on fiscal responsibility, efficient government, and outcomes.I’ve worked closely with residents, businesses, and regional partners to advance major projects, support economic development, and expand housing opportunities.Whether it’s navigating development approvals, investing in infrastructure, or strengthening partnerships with nonprofits, I’ve learned how to turn ideas into action.Just as importantly, I’ve built a reputation for being accessible and responsive.That combination of practical experience and community connection will allow me to effectively advance the goals I’ve outlined and deliver results on day one.What is your opinion of the work being done by the current officeholder, and how will you improve on it?Councilmember Katz has been a friend and mentor to me for many years, and I am grateful for his long record of public service.I am also grateful for his support and for the example he set in many areas, particularly his responsiveness to constituents and commitment to civic engagement.At the same time, I believe this moment calls for a renewed focus on the county’s biggest challenges — especially affordability, housing supply, and economic growth.We need to move with greater urgency to expand housing options, streamline approvals, and create the conditions for businesses to grow and stay here.My approach will build on the strong foundation he leaves, while bringing a sharper focus on results — delivering more housing, more opportunity, and a more affordable future for Montgomery County residents.How do you believe Montgomery County should address data centers?The county should neither rubber-stamp data centers nor rule them out categorically.We need a disciplined framework that evaluates them case by case, with clear guardrails around energy use, water consumption, noise, traffic, emissions, and compatibility with nearby communities.Montgomery County’s current debate is already moving in that direction, with proposed zoning rules and amendments focused on setbacks, scale, water, and energy requirements.Data centers can bring in a lot of much-needed revenue to the county, which would be a good thing.But if a project moves forward, the standard should be simple: The public should not subsidize private impacts.Data center operators should bear the cost of the infrastructure they require, especially power-related upgrades, and they should be expected to minimize — if not fully negate — environmental harm and community disruption.Do you believe there should be a data center moratorium or a temporary pause?I do not support a blanket moratorium on data centers, as they are an increasingly important part of our economy — bringing tax revenue and critical infrastructure that supports how we live and work.I believe the better approach is to put clear, thoughtful guardrails in place.Councilmember Balcombe has introduced legislation that begins to establish a framework for where and how data centers should be developed, and I think that’s the right direction.We should focus on ensuring appropriate siting, managing energy and environmental impacts, and protecting nearby communities — while still allowing