“We have the opportunity to recover and rebuild a Montgomery County that is stronger, healthier, more prosperous, equitable and sustainable than the one we had before COVID-19.” 
Tom Hucker
County Council President
Join Team Hucker
Endorsements
Chris Van Hollen
Jamie Raskin
Ike Leggett
Peter Franchot
Will Smith
Kate Stewart
Chris Van Hollen
U.S. Senator
Jamie Raskin
U.S. Congressman
John Sarbanes
U.S. Congressman
Brian Frosh
Attorney General
Peter Franchot
Comptroller
Will Smith
D20 Senator
David Moon
D20 Delegate
Jheanelle Wilkins
D20 Delegate
Roger Manno
D19 Senator
Bonnie Cullison
D19 Delegate
Ben Kramer
D19 Delegate
Marice Morales
D19 Delegate
Al Carr
D18 Delegate
Jeff Waldstreicher
D18 Delegate
Craig Zucker
D14 Senator
Anne Kaiser
D14 Delegate
Eric Luedtke
D14 Delegate
Kate Stewart
Takoma Park Mayor
Peter Kovar
Takoma Park City Council
Terry Seamens
Takoma Park City Council
Jarrett Smith
Takoma Park City Council
Tom Hucker's Record & Vision
"Let's keep fighting for our strong progressive values."
East County
In East County, Tom exposed and defeated Republican voter suppression efforts to close down the Burtonsville early voting center. He voted to create a new first-class bus line on U.S. 29, fought to fund the long-delayed Burtonsville Access Road, and won the fight the reopen and renovate the shuttered Maydale Nature Center.
Silver Spring
In downtown Silver Spring, Tom saved free weekend and evening parking, sponsored legislation to save Koiner Farm from development, and created “Silver Screens,” the annual free outdoor summer movie series with AFI. Tom also led the fight to fund the pedestrian tunnel under Georgia Avenue at Forest Glen, as well as safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Takoma Park
Tom has worked closely with Mayor Kate Stewart to win funding for the first 24-7 paramedic at the Takoma Park Fire Station and to keep the Piney Branch pool open, and fought to protect low-income tenants on New Hampshire Avenue. Tom also helped expand such groundbreaking city policies as restricting cancer-causing pesticides and banning polystyrene.
White Oak & Hillandale
Redevelopment in White Oak promises to bring much needed amenities and work opportunities, but Tom knows local residents need an advocate to ensure the benefits of development reach everyone. That’s why he worked to ensure developers would have to pay more to fund additional transportation needs. Tom also successfully fought for the long overdue renovation of Hillandale park and neighborhood repaving.
Protected Our Environment
As the Council’s lead for the environment, Tom has successfully passed bills to expand our parks, protect our drinking water, increase recycling, and expand solar energy. While the Trump administration actively undermines efforts to fight climate change, Tom has fought to reduce emissions and is helping lead the County’s drive to be carbon-free.
Expanded Paid Leave
As the District 5 Councilmember, Tom helped lead the fight to guarantee paid sick leave for all workers in Montgomery County. He later expanded that law so that new parents, including adoptive and same-sex couples, could use paid leave for their families.
Fought for Transit Funding
Tom believes every community deserves safe, sustainable, and effective transit solutions. He held Larry Hogan and the GOP accountable for Purple Line funding, successfully expanded Ride-On Express on US-29 starting May 2018, proposed and got funding for BRT on New Hampshire, and has helped champion the Coalition to Fix MD 198 and funding for the long-delayed Burtonsville Access Road.
Defended People’s Rights
As Councilmember, Tom flagged and successfully stopped Republican attempts to suppress votes in East County and stood up to developers to protect urban agriculture like Koiner Farm. Following the tragic Flower Branch apartment explosion in Long Branch, Tom worked with organizations like CASA de Maryland and Montgomery Housing Partnership to support renters and immigrant families who had been affected. Tom also voted to expand renter protections, access to family leave for same-sex couples, and the needs of returning citizens.
Strengthened Our Schools
In his first Council term, Tom successfully fought to reduce the achievement gap, invest in high-quality pre-k and reduce class sizes. He voted to establish new after-school and full-day Head Start programs in our elementary schools so every child has a chance to succeed.
Raised the Minimum Wage
Too many members of our community live paycheck to paycheck. Tom’s vote to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour will go a long way towards helping hardworking Marylanders pay their rent and bills while buying food for their families.
Tackled Neighborhood Needs
During the recession, many of District 5’s neighborhood streets and sidewalks fell into disrepair. Tom helped secure funding for desperately needed repaving and expanded access to safe pedestrian routes. In addition, Tom successfully passed a bill to hold banks and negligent home owners financially accountable for foreclosed and blighted properties, helping neighbors get a much needed tool to address these dangerous and dilapidated properties.
Supported Public Safety
As a member of the Public Safety committee, Tom has helped secure resources for paramedics and firefighters in District 5 and championed the expanded use of body cameras. A leader against human trafficking, Tom passed legislation enabling police to have the tools they need to target traffickers and facilitated joint hearings on additional resources needed to fight this rising issue in Montgomery County.
On a Mission to Leave No One Behind
Every Child Deserves the Best
Our public schools are our most valuable and worthwhile investment in our future. As Councilmember, Tom has fought for unprecedented funding and support for Montgomery County schools. Tom is committed to expanding affordable high-quality pre-k and child care programs and has been a leading advocate for identifying new funding resources to support access for our youngest learners. We know that 90 percent of a child’s brain development happens before age 5. That’s why Tom led successful efforts to win millions in federal funding to expand high-quality pre-k. Tom will keep fighting to ensure that our children are primed for success from the beginning to the end.
White Oak Science Gateway
The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan was passed before Tom joined the Council. I helped fight to require phasing in the general development agreement (p. 31) that requires the developer to build at least 300,000 square feet of commercial before more than 1,000 residential units can be built. This helps ensure that the development doesn’t become all residential and it provides additional commercial/retail options for local residents.
White Oak is also unique in that it is the first of the County’s Local Area Transportation Improvement Programs (LATIP). This program requires developers to pay both impact taxes and a $5,000 fee for each new trip that their projects generates. The County Executive had initially proposed setting the fee at $3,800 per trip, but Tom voted to raise it 31% to pay for the $101 million in transportation improvements needed in the White Oak area. The Viva White Oak project also includes land that is being dedicated for a new elementary school site, which is something the County and MCPS are looking for in other areas as well.
Land Dedication for Montgomery County Public Schools
In Rock Spring, White Flint 2 and Grosvenor, the Council included language in the plans that requires Planning staff to prioritize land dedication for schools when they are conducting development approvals. The other checks we have to ensure that development doesn’t outpace infrastructure can be found in the Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP), which institutes development moratoriums in areas with schools whose enrollments are more than 120% of their capacity. The SSP used to require that entire school clusters be over 120% capacity to go into moratorium, but the 2016 version that Tom voted for allows for moratoriums at the individual school level.
Transportation & Development
On the transportation side, the Council has been requiring higher auto-driver mode share goals (NADMS). In the Bethesda Plan, for example, we capped new development at 2 million square feet out of a possible 4 million (p. 45) until the NADMS goal of 55% is met (p. 8). This means that 55% of Bethesda residents and commuters must be pedestrians, bicyclists or transit users. You can read the Bethesda Annual Monitoring Report here.
Lyttonsville Sector Plan
When the County Council passed the Lyttonsville Sector Plan, the Purple Line was still under legal challenge and we were not sure it was moving ahead. Neighbors were concerned that development would proceed even if the Purple Line continued to be stalled. Tom fought for a successful amendment halting development until the Purple Line was approved for construction.
No One Left Behind
Tom believes the only path to prosperity for Montgomery County is when our local economy works for everyone. That’s why Tom is laser-focused on the needs of working families, local businesses, and sustainable industries. If re-elected, Tom will continue to fight for the policies that ensure economic opportunity, living wages, and work with dignity for all of our county’s hard-working residents.
Leading the Nation in Sustainability
As a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee, Tom is very focused on improving the county’s air, water and land; promoting greener public policies; investing in our infrastructure networks; and fostering smart growth and healthier and more sustainable communities. As the Council’s lead for the Environment, Tom is fully committed to reaching the County’s ambition to being Carbon-free by 2035. Tom is also pushing for important regulations to protect our most vulnerable from dangerous pollutants and contaminants. If re-elected, Tom will seek to conduct lead testing in all MCPS schools, continue cleaning up our County’s streams and water sources, and finding ways to expand access to renewable energy and sustainable development.
Building Transit for Now & the Future
One of Tom’s most crucial priorities is championing transit infrastructure that works for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why Tom will continue to fight for a financially and environmentally sustainable transit system that champions complete streets for all. From working to ease traffic congestion to reducing vehicle miles traveled overall through sustainable development and diverse transit solutions, Tom believes the diverse needs of District 5 residents must be central to the County’s decision-making process. This also means making developers pay their fair share to ensure the County can fund the transit solutions that growth demands.
Growing Our Local Economy
Tom has focused on supporting small businesses throughout Montgomery County. He authored successful legislation to create a tax credit for small businesses in East County, created the annual Silver Spring-Takoma Park Restaurant Week, and is advocating for support for businesses impacted by Purple Line construction.
Taking Action on College Debt
Too many students are leaving college with massive amounts of debt. This hinders their ability to buy a home, start a business, pursue a graduate degree, or save money for retirement. That’s why Tom is seeking to establish a self-sustaining county Student Loan Financing Program to help residents refinance their loans at lower interest rates, saving them thousands of dollars without burdening the county budget.
Fighting for Equity and Justice
Tom believes that people deserve to have a fierce advocate championing their needs in every level of decision-making. That’s why he will continue to protect Montgomery County residents’ access to equal opportunity at every level of government and private industry.
Making Government Work for Everyone
Tom knows that in order to make effective public policy we need to be present in every corner of the community. That’s why he will continue to direct staff, time, and resources to community outreach efforts that give the diverse residents of District 5 an equal opportunity for their needs to be addressed.
Championing Health & Wellness for All
Tom believes Maryland and Montgomery County can lead the way in finally addressing our nation’s healthcare woes. That’s why he will continue to champion innovations and responsible policies that extend access to healthcare to every resident.
Supporting Emerging and Established Communities Across District 5
Montgomery County’s diverse, global community is one of our greatest assets. Tom will continue to both celebrate the contributions that immigrant communities are making through community organizations and local businesses, as well as supporting the County agencies and nonprofits that help meet the needs of local immigrant families. And as a member of the Public Safety committee, Tom will continue championing policies that help the County remain a welcoming place for immigrants of any status.
A National Model for Age-Friendly Communities
Montgomery County can and should be a national model for inter-generational communities. If re-elected, Tom will continue to champion the age-friendly policies and vital community organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies that help seniors age in place.
