MARYLAND CITY, Md. — On Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 some Maryland voters will be going to the polls to elect mayors and city council members.
Greenbelt residents will also give a thumbs up or down to a ballot question about creating a commission to make recommendations on local reparations for African American and Native American residents of the city.
In Maryland, election day polling places are open from 7 am until 8 pm. Anyone in line at 8 pm will be allowed to vote.
Here is a list of the contested races and ballot questions in our area, along with biographical information.
City of Frederick
Board of Elections Website: https://frederickcountymd.gov/1198/Board-of-Elections
Frederick Mayor
Vote 1
Michael C. O'Connor (D-incumbent)
He was first elected Mayor in 2017. He is a native of Frederick. Previously he served on the Board of Aldermen; plus, he also worked as a reporter.
Website: https://www.oconnorforfrederick.com/
Steven Hammrick (R)
His website says he's a native to Frederick and he is currently an elevator mechanic.
Website: https://hammrickforfreedom.com/
Frederick City Board of Aldermen
Vote 5
Donna Kuzemchak (D-incumbent)
She has lived in Frederick since 1985. She has been a realtor since 2011 and has held this office since 2013.
Website: https://www.vote4donnak.com/meet_donna
Ben MacShane (D-incumbent)
He is running for a second term. He is the owner and president of a hospitality and renovation conracting company.
Website: http://macshaneforalderman.com/
Katie Nash (D)
Her website says she is a community advocate, business owner and worked for the Maryland General Assembly.
Website: https://support-katienash.nationbuilder.com/
Kelly Russell (D-incumbent)
She is running for a fourth term and has lived in Frederick since 1983. She retired from the Frederick Police Department after serving 22 years.
Website: https://www.votekellyrussell.com/
Derek Shackelford (D-incumbent)
He was born in Frederick and is currently the Pastor of a Buckeystown church. He was first elected to this office in 2017.
Website: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1056/Derek-Shackelford
Robert A. Fischer (R)
He has lived in the city for 24 years and is retired from the FDA Center for Biologics and Research.
Website: https://fischer4frederick.com/
Michelle Shay (R)
She has a background in strategic organizing.
Website: https://michelleshay15.wixsite.com/michelleshay
City of Gaithersburg
Board of Elections Website: https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/government/elections
Gaithersburg Mayor
Vote 1
Jud Ashman (incumbent)
He has served as Mayor since 2014. Previouslyhe was on the Council (2007-2014).
Website: https://www.votejud.com/
Stephen Escobar
He served 11 years in the Maryland Army National Guard. He was born and raised in Gaithersburg.
Website: https://www.voteescobar.com/
Gaithersburg City Council
Vote 2
Dave Belgard
He has lived in Gaithersburg for 11 years. Much of his career has been in data analytics. He is a senior financial compliance officer for an aerospace company.
Website: https://www.davebelgard.com/
Philip Cook
He has lived in Gaithersburg for 6 years. He is currently a data auditor for a pharmaceuticals company.
Website: https://www.votephilipcook.org/
Lisa E. Henderson
She has lived in Gaithersburg for 25 years-plus. She is an IT specialist.
Website: https://lisahenderson.org/
Yamil Hernández
He is the co-founder of a life sciences and biotech company and is a former intelligence officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
Website: https://voteyamil.com/
Jim McNulty
He has lived in Gaithersburg since 2009. He chairs the Olde Town Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the city's Economic Development Committee.
Website: https://www.jimmcnulty.org/
City of Greenbelt
Board of Elections Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/government/boards-committees/board-of-elections
Greenbelt City Council
Vote 7
Brandon Ric Gordon
He is from Prince George's County and has lived in Greenbelt for more than 10 years. He is a political scientist.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18939/637693062868703354
Rodney M. Roberts (incumbent)
He has lived in Greenbelt his entire life. He is a small business owner. He was first elected to the Council in 1991.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18941/637693062874640932
Alexander J. Zajac
He has lived in Greenbelt since 2016. He is a patent attorney.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18927/637693062831045950
Judith F. Davis (incumbent)
She is running for a 15th term on the Council. Previously she served as Mayor. She worked in education for 35 years.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18933/637693062852453105
Matthew A. Inzeo
He has lived in Greenbelt since he was a child. He has served on the Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18937/637693062864172013
Colin A. Byrd (incumbent)
He has lived in Greenbelt his entire life. He was first elected to the Council in 2017. He has worked in environmental policy and union organizing. He is Mayor.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18929/637693062841514878
Silke I. Pope (incumbent)
She has been a Greenbelter for 21 years. In addition to serving on the Council, she also works for the Prince George's County school system.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18943/637693062879172646
William A. Orleans
He has lived in the city most of his life and served in the Marine Corps.
Emmett V. Jordan (incumbent)
He is running for a 7th term on the Council. He has lived in Greenbelt for 20 years. He works in project management. He is Mayor Pro Tem.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18931/637693062846515181
Kristen L. V. Weaver
She has lived in Greenbelt since 2015. She taught middle school science and math and worked at the Goddard Space Flight Center as an education and outreach specailist.
Website: https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/18935/637693062858546849
Greenbelt Reparations Commission Measure
A "yes" vote supports creating a 21-member commission to review, discuss, and make recommendations on local reparations for African American and Native American residents of Greenbelt.
A "no" vote opposes creating a 21-member commission to review, discuss, and make recommendations on local reparations for African American and Native American residents of Greenbelt.
City of Laurel
Board of Elections Website: https://www.cityoflaurel.org/clerk/elections-and-voter-registration
Laurel City Council: At-Large
Vote 1
Martin Mitchell
He's lived in Laurel for 25 years. He currently serves on the City's Board of Appeals.
Website: https://www.martinforlaurel.com/
Frederick Smalls
He served on the council for 17 years (2002-2019) representing Ward 2.
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederick-smalls-9866247b/
Laurel City Council: Ward 2
Vote 2
Jeffrey W. Mills
He's been the owner of an advertising company for 21 years.
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-mills-08893478
Brencis Smith (incumbent)
He is running for a second term. He is also a financial analyst.
Website: https://www.cityoflaurel.org/council/members/brencis-smith
Keith R. Sydnor (incumbent)
He is running for a thrid term. He has worked in law enforcement and as a Pretrial Services Officer.
Website: https://www.cityoflaurel.org/council/members/keith-r-sydnor
