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Evan Glass
Glass in 2023
Member of the Montgomery County Council at-large
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
Preceded byMarc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, and George Leventhal
Personal details
Born1977 (age 47–48)
New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJason Gedeik
Alma materAmerican University (BA)
OccupationJournalist
WebsiteCampaign website

Evan Matthew Glass is an American politician who has served as an at-large councilor for Montgomery County, Maryland since 2018, and as the president of the county council from 2022 to 2023.

Early life and career

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Glass was born in Long Island in 1977.[1] He attended American University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science in 1999.[2] Glass moved to Montgomery County after getting a job as a congressional producer and journalist for CNN,[3] where he worked until 2011, after which he worked at various communications companies and organizations, including the Gandhi Brigade, until 2018.[2]

Glass first got involved in politics as a member of the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association.[4] From 2007 to 2014, he was a member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, serving as its chair from 2012 to 2014.[2]

Montgomery County Councilor

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Elections

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2014

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In 2014, Glass ran for the Montgomery County Council in District 5, seeking to succeed councilmember Cherri Branson. He was defeated in the Democratic primary by state delegate Tom Hucker by a margin of 222 votes out of 19,971 cast.[5][6] His candidacy was backed by real estate and developer groups, including the Greater Capital Area Political Action Committee and the Maryland Realtors PAC.[7]

2018

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Glass campaigning in 2018

In 2018, Glass again ran for the Montgomery County Council, this time running to serve as one of its at-large members. During the Democratic primary, he was endorsed by the Maryland Sierra Club, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, and The Washington Post.[8] Glass won the Democratic primary on June 26, 2018.[9]

2022

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Glass ran for re-election in 2022.[10] During the Democratic primary, he received support from the Progressives for Progress PAC, a developer-backed super PAC, which he later denounced for using deceptive tactics that he described as "anything but progressive".[11] Glass placed first in the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022.[12]

Tenure

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Glass was sworn into the Montgomery Council Council on December 3, 2018,[2] becoming its first openly gay member.[9] During his tenure on the county council, Glass prioritized increasing affordable housing and public transportation, fighting climate change, and expanding mental health services.[13]

In December 2022, the council unanimously elected Glass to serve as its president, making him the council's first LGBTQ member to serve in this capacity.[14] As county council president, Glass oversaw the passage of rent stabilization legislation and safe streets laws, as well as the implementation of a task force to address hate crimes in Montgomery County. He also criticized the Montgomery County Public Schools system's budget procedures, which prompted county superintendent Monica McKnight to suggest that Glass believed a budget proposed by a Black woman needed more oversight,[3] and faced criticism from county executive Marc Elrich and county councilmember Kristin Mink that he wasn't being transparent during budget proceedings.[15]

2026 Montgomery County Executive campaign

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Main article: 2026 Maryland county executive elections § Montgomery County

On March 12, 2025, Glass announced that he would run for Montgomery County Executive, seeking to succeed Marc Elrich, who was term-limited. If elected, he would be the county's first openly LGBTQ+ county executive. During his campaign, Glass ran on a platform of streamlining the county's business permitting processes, increasing transparency from the county school system, and increasing housing availability.[3]

Political positions

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COVID-19 pandemic

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In March 2020, Glass introduced a resolution to call on the federal government to implement a 60-day default moratorium on banks and financial institutions.[16] In April 2020, he introduced a bill to create a $2 million rental relief fund for county residents who were not eligible for eviction protections provided by the state.[17] The county council unanimously approved of the proposal later that month.[18]

Development initiatives

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In July 2021, Glass voted for a bill to create a business improvement district (BID) in Silver Spring, which gave greater control of marketing and promotions to local businesses.[19] He later voted to override County Executive Marc Elrich's veto of the BID.[20] In May 2022, Glass supported a proposed redevelopment plan for downtown Silver Spring that would incentivize new developments near transit stations, encourage green cover in certain areas of the city, and preserve affordable housing through tax incentives. Later that month, he voted to remove structured parking from the public benefits list defined in the plan, which he said would "go against one of the central ideas of the proposed plan".[4]

In March 2023, Glass was one of two councilmembers to vote against a bill creating a county position to oversee countywide broadband access expansion, arguing that the position wasn't needed.[21]

Gun policy

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In March 2013, Glass participated in a rally in support of a state bill to ban assault weapons and limit magazine sizes.[22]

National politics

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Glass at an Elizabeth Warren rally, 2020

In December 2019, Glass participated in and spoke at a rally in Olney, Maryland, to support the first impeachment of Donald Trump].[23] During his 2026 county executive campaign, Glass criticized Trump and Elon Musk for the mass firings of federal employees.[3]

Policing

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In July 2020, Glass voted for an amendment to reassign 12 of the county's 23 active school resource officers to other areas in the county police department. The amendment was rejected by a 5-4 vote.[24]

During his 2022 campaign, Glass supported expanding the county's Cadet program, which encourages county residents to work as police officers in the communities where they live.[25]

In February 2023, Glass introduced a bill that would create "priority police response areas" and require restaurant and bar owners to develop safety plans and receive police approval for late-night operations.[26] The bill was introduced as a response to an increase in crime in downtown Silver Spring, and was passed by the county council by a 9-2 vote in May 2023.[27]

Social issues

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In March 2019, Glass introduced a bill to prohibit the county from asking about a job candidate's salary history.[28]

In July 2020, Glass introduced a bill that would add HIV status and gender expression to the county's anti-discrimination laws.[29] In July 2022, he introduced a bill to require county buildings to have gender-neutral bathrooms, which passed and became law.[30] In April 2025, Glass participated in protests outside the U.S. Supreme Court while oral arguments were being held in Mahmoud v. Taylor.[31]

In April 2022, Glass voted for a resolution calling for the removal of Francis G. Newlands' name from the Chevy Chase water fountain, citing his white supremacist views.[32]

In September 2022, Glass supported adopting ranked-choice voting for Montgomery County Council elections.[33]

Taxes

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In October 2019, Glass introduced a bill to levy a fee on newly rebuilt homes, or "teardown homes".[34]

In May 2023, Glass said he opposed a bill to raise real estate taxes by 10 percent to fund the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) budget. He also released an op-ed to MoCo360 to call for increased transparency for MCPS budget processes.[35] Later that month, Glass supported a 4.7 percent real estate tax increase, which he called a "good middle ground".[36]

Transportation

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Since 2019, Glass has served as a member of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board.[2] In June 2021, he supported a proposal to increase guidelines and accelerate review processes for the board's environmental impact reviews for long-range transportation projects, which was adopted by the board by a vote of 26-4.[37] In March 2023, Glass wrote to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to express concerns with proposed rail fare changes.[38]

In 2019, Glass supported provisions that would provide free Ride On services to children younger than 18. These provisions passed and went into effect on July 1, 2019.[39]

In July 2021, Glass voted against approving a proposal to widen Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway, criticizing Governor Larry Hogan for not getting local elected officials involved in creating the proposal to widen the highways.[40]

In December 2022, Glass supported protests of the closure of White's Ferry, the last remaining cable ferry service on the Potomac River.[41]

In February 2023, Glass introduced a bill to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on county roads and in school zones. The bill included provisions to install leading pedestrian intervals at downtown intersections, create an infrastructure review process within school zones, and prohibit turning on red in urban areas.[42]

Personal life

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Glass is openly gay and Jewish.[43] He is married to his husband, Jason Gedeik, and lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Tan, Rebecca (July 9, 2019). "A gay politician pushed for pride events in a Maryland suburb — and was targeted by hate". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Evan Glass, County Council, Montgomery County, Maryland". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Bixby, Ginny (March 12, 2025). "Evan Glass announces run for Montgomery County executive". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Bohnel, Steve (May 4, 2022). "Downtown Silver Spring master plan aims to spur development, address climate change". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Andrew (July 7, 2014). "Glass Concedes to Hucker in District 5". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. ^ Turque, Bill (July 7, 2014). "Evan Glass concedes to Tom Hucker in District 5 Montgomery Council race". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  7. ^ Turque, Bill (June 18, 2014). "Business community rallies behind Evan Glass in Montgomery District 5 race". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Peck, Louis (June 12, 2018). "2018 Endorsements: Candidates for County Executive, County Council, Board of Education". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Peck, Louis (June 27, 2018). "Incumbent Riemer Tops Council At-Large Primary, Joined by Jawando, Glass and Albornoz". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  10. ^ Bohnel, Steve (June 28, 2022). "Albornoz, Glass, Jawando all seeking second term on County Council". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Bohnel, Steve (July 14, 2022). "Elected officials, local candidates denounce 'misleading' developer-backed PAC". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  12. ^ Bohnel, Steve (July 21, 2022). "Glass declares victory in at-large County Council re-election bid". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Bohnel, Steve (December 12, 2022). "New council president says affordable housing, pedestrian safety, transportation among top priorities". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  14. ^ Bohnel, Steve (December 6, 2022). "Council elects Evan Glass as president, Andrew Friedson as vice president". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. ^ Bixby, Ginny (May 26, 2023). "Was County Council's budget process transparent? Elrich, Mink criticize Glass". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  16. ^ Adhikusuma, Briana (March 18, 2020). "Montgomery County Council calls for 60-day moratorium on defaults". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  17. ^ Adhikusuma, Briana (April 21, 2020). "County Council might provide $2M for rental relief". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Adhikusuma, Briana (April 28, 2020). "County Council will spend $2M for rental assistance, eviction prevention". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  19. ^ Bohnel, Steve (July 27, 2021). "Council approves Silver Spring Business Improvement District". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  20. ^ Bohnel, Steve (August 11, 2021). "Council pledges to override Elrich's veto of Silver Spring business district bill". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Bohnel, Steve (March 21, 2023). "Council votes 9-2 to approve position focused on increasing broadband access; Craig Rice is Elrich's choice for role, per sources". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  22. ^ Jackson, Alex (June 2, 2013). "Petition drive to overturn O'Malley's gun control law fails". Carroll County Times. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  23. ^ Kurtz, Josh (December 17, 2019). "7 Pro-Impeachment Rallies Set for Tuesday in Md". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  24. ^ Adhikusuma, Briana (July 22, 2020). "County Council split on fate of school resource officer positions". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  25. ^ Bohnel, Steve (May 12, 2022). "At-large County Council candidates offer views on improving policing in the county". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  26. ^ Bichu, Apps; Kyles, Akira (March 25, 2023). "Silver Spring bar, restaurant owners concerned about 'safety bill' for late night-businesses". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  27. ^ Bixby, Ginny (May 16, 2023). "Council passes modified version of late-night business safety bill". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Peetz, Caitlynn (March 5, 2019). "Council Grapples With Pay Inequity Among County Employees". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Leckrone, Bennett (July 7, 2020). "Montgomery Council to Consider Adding Anti-Discrimination Protections for Gender, Health Care". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  30. ^ Bohnel, Steve (July 26, 2022). "New law requires county buildings to have gender-inclusive restrooms". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  31. ^ Ford, William J. (April 23, 2025). "Justices appear to favor Montgomery County parents opposed to LGBTQ-themed books". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  32. ^ Bohnel, Steve (April 26, 2022). "County Council approves resolution to remove Newlands' name from Chevy Chase water fountain". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  33. ^ Kurtz, Josh (September 14, 2022). "Season of Glass: Montgomery official preps for elevated role on council he helped reshape". Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  34. ^ Masters, Kate (October 19, 2019). "County Council Member Affirms $100 Million Estimate from Tax on New Construction". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  35. ^ Bixby, Ginny (May 12, 2023). "Councilmembers say they will not pass 10% tax increase, will find other ways to fill school budget gaps". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  36. ^ Bixby, Ginny (May 18, 2023). "Split straw poll indicates 4.7% property tax increase". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  37. ^ Bohnel, Steve (June 17, 2021). "Glass emphasizes impact of climate change in regional plan amendment". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  38. ^ Pollak, Suzanne (March 23, 2023). "Council Urges Metro to Rethink Proposed Fare Changes". Montgomery County Media. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  39. ^ Grunberger, Alessia (July 1, 2019). "Montgomery Co. Makes Bus Service Free for Kids and Teens". Patch. Maryland Matters. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  40. ^ Bohnel, Steve (July 20, 2021). "On eve of key board vote, majority of County Council proclaims support for I-270/I-495 project". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  41. ^ Espey, Em (December 30, 2022). "Hundreds rally on anniversary of White's Ferry closing, push for solution". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  42. ^ Bohnel, Steve (February 27, 2023). "Advocates say pedestrian safety bill's goals are laudable, but more needed". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  43. ^ Bohnel, Steve (January 16, 2023). "More open disagreement, more alignment with Elrich predicted for Montgomery's council". MoCo360. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
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