QUESTIONNAIRE: Bethesda Today Voter Guide

Bethesda Today Voter Guide Montgomery County Executive

Where you live: Montgomery Village

Current occupation and employer: Senior Tax Manager, Public Utility

Political experience: N/A

Website: VoteforEsther.com

Email: VoteforEsther@gmail.com

Social media: @ VoteforEsther

Why are you running for this office? (100 words maximum)

It’s too expensive to live here! My priorities include fiscal discipline, government accountability, strengthening the economy, improving public safety and expanding opportunity through education to reduce cost of living in Montgomery County.

As a CPA, I have the financial expertise and leadership experience to move Montgomery County forward. My career leading tax strategies for multi-national Corporations has generated multi-million-dollar savings. I will apply this rigorous private-sector discipline to balance costs with growth objectives.

As President of the Montgomery County Taxpayers League, I’ve advocated for county taxpayers by supporting appropriate actions to achieve greater efficiency & effectiveness in our county government.

What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it? (100 words maximum)

Families are being crushed by a crisis of affordability and accountability. To address this, I will implement:

• Fiscal Discipline: Streamline Government Operations to include automation of services, restructure County departments to reduce costs by 20%
• Government Accountability & Audits of $7.6B Operating Budget, focused on procurement, contracts & grants, to eliminate waste, mismanagement, and misuse of Taxpayers’ funds
• Reverse the 4.7% property tax rate hike
• Reverse 6.3% property and 3% income tax hike proposed FY2027 Operating Budget
• Reduce annual property assessment increases by 50%

My plan delivers essential tax relief by ensuring every dollar is linked to measurable results.

What is one major issue that has been handled poorly and what would you have done differently? (100 words maximum)

MCPS’s prolonged COVID-19 school closures severely impacted student well-being and academic success. As one of the last districts to return to in-person learning, the delay disproportionately harmed students with disabilities, who lacked essential individualized support.

State test scores highlight a widening achievement gap: while white and Asian students maintained proficiency levels around 80% (English) and 60% (Math), African American and Hispanic proficiency plummeted to 15.7%–22.9% in Math. Furthermore, virtual learning triggered a mental health crisis, increasing anxiety and depression. The lack of structure also fueled chronic absenteeism, disorderly conduct, and community violence, underscoring schools’ vital role in social development.

What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words maximum)

• Maryland CPA with financial expertise and leadership experience leading tax strategies for multi-national Corporations, which has generated multi-million-dollar savings.
• President, Montgomery County Taxpayers League where I’ve supported appropriate actions to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in Montgomery County government.
• NAACP Parent Council Representative, serving to empower minority parents to become active advocates for their children’s education, ensuring equitable treatment and academic success.
• President/Chair of the Board of Trustees of a local faith-based non-profit. Focused on legal and operational oversight, approving the annual operating/capital budget, ensuring fiduciary duty compliance and leading strategic planning to advance the non-profit’s mission and financial sustainability.