A Local Lesson in Failed Democracy
Montgomery County MD council pulls a MAGA in a heartland of No Kings resistance.
This is a Montgomery County, Maryland, story, but the resignation of Council Member Gabe Albornoz (D-At Large) from the County Council—and the plan to replace him without an election—illustrates a moral relevant to progressives everywhere.
Bit of History first
A vital part of early-20th-century progressivism was expanding democratic accountability of the government to the people. Progressives secured direct election of U.S. senators, added referendums to state constitutions nationwide, and fought for the secret ballot itself—all to break politics from cronies and the privileged so government could serve all. Keep that in mind.
What is MoCo?
Montgomery County ranks among the nation’s top 20 counties for per-capita income. It has just over 1 million residents and a $7.6 billion budget, with one school district, one police force, and its own planning and zoning authority—unlike most counties. Eleven Council members and one county executive oversee it all.
Demographically, Montgomery County is America’s future. A county planning department report shows non-Hispanic whites at 38 percent, Hispanics 22 percent, Black 18 percent, Asian 16 percent, and “other” 6 percent—meaning roughly 62 percent people of color. Politically, Kamala Harris won about 75 percent of the vote—a strong showing for having so many rich folks. The council is majority female, includes LGBTQ+ members, and, for just 11 people, roughly reflects county diversity.
In short, this county should be a sweet spot for progressivism—a universe progressives hold up as what is coming and how real change will happen in America. Fascism today is the effort to roll back that tide. Every authoritarian move Donald Trump takes is aimed at the nonwhite and unprivileged.
You could think that…
Local Failure
If not TL:DR, here is the crux. Council member Gabe Albernoz plans to resign from county council on December 1st with a year left in his term. On its face, not usual—local elected office is seldom lucrative and often thankless—so people move on if opportunities arise.
What got me was the date. Dates in government and politics are never random, so I looked through the county charter and found what I expected. December 1 is the first day Council can appoint a replacement without a special election. Whoever is chosen serves a full year without voter approval from a million residents.
My first reaction was conspiratorial—think Rod Blagojevich. Albornoz could resign at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30 and trigger a special election without disturbing his schedule. But on Dec. 1 the Council can simply appoint. It feels like quid pro quo: you get a seat by appointment, I get a cushy corporate job. That scenario is possible but hard to square with the facts, since Albernoz will return to lead the Recreation Department for the final year of the executive’s term—a calmer life, but no golden parachute.
There could still be nonsense aplenty. But, let us take Council President Kate Stewart at her word for a moment and deconstruct the Council’s stated reason for accepting applications for a one-year “caretaker” appointment:
“We are seeking a Montgomery County resident to serve on the Council who is knowledgeable about budgetary, public policy, and legislative work. Additionally, we are seeking individuals who do not intend to run for office in 2026 to eliminate any potential unfair advantage in the upcoming election cycle.”
Well, you know what would remove any unfair advantage in 2026? Hold a special election. The Council could schedule one for January and the matter is settled. So why not?
Scuttlebutt is the council will cite the expense of a county-wide election for their decision. Maybe, but my bet is they are scapegoating money to cover for appointing someone—unchallenging. But here we are just across the state line from the MAGA fascist dictator tearing down the White House and we cannot spend some money to be a beacon of democracy? Progressive Montgomery County should be an exemplar for public accountability—and the only way to do that is through a special election. The county council’s unwillingness to trust Montgomery County voters is staggering.
Tax receipts in Maryland will crater soon. The Trump recession and his federal workforce decimation will hit this state hard. Council members will face the most difficult decisions elected officials make—who loses vital services? The gall of council to bar county voters from choosing a person to speak for us during these difficult times is astonishing. Who are they to think that someone they select from LinkedIn or Indeed will speak for us in the coming budget crisis?
No Ducks
Progressives are not ducks. Montgomery County and its Council look and walk as a progressive expects—but these correct-sounding Council members, representing a million diverse residents—the future of American democracy—would trade away the democracy we expect for their convenience. Once they start playing such games, what makes them different from MAGA?
Democracy is necessary, not inconvenient. It must be a core progressive belief that more voting is better than less. The best way to hold government accountable is through elections—which is precisely why Donald Trump wants to avoid them.
It might seem expedient to take a shortcut, to assume that an appointed council member will do no harm because “we did the appointing.” But you, Montgomery County Council, are stealing your constituents’ voice because you can—because it fits whatever you think is best for the county. Council must remember, in these difficult days, that silencing voices is essential—for fascism.
So for every council, board, or legislature member that considers itself progressive: take this in. Don’t just talk about democracy—the only way to defend it is to live it every day. As inconvenient as it may be.
After seeing the Albernoz story, I became a bit cranky. So I requested all the financial disclosures for county council members. Here they are. Take a look without all the paperwork. Nothing obviously horrible, but look at Andrew Friedson’s. His has a few mysteries.
