The 2023 campaign for Rockville Mayor and Council officially started on May 11 when the Board of Supervisors of Elections (BOSE) certified the petitions of Mark Pierzchala for Mayor and Izola Shaw for Council. As of May 25, there are currently two candidates for Mayor and eight candidates for Council—a total of ten people running for office.

• Candidates for the Office of Mayor
  • Monique Ashton (currently on Council)
  • Mark Pierzchala (currently on Council)
• Candidates for the Office of Council
  • Kate Fulton
  • Barry Jackson
  • Ricky Mui
  • David Myles (currently on Council)
  • Paul Scott
  • Izola Shaw
  • Marissa Valeri
  • Adam Van Grack

That’s low compared to 2019 (13 people) and 2015 (11 people), so I suspect more candidates will be added, especially with the number of seats on Council increasing from four to six. Indeed, Harold Hodges’ petition for Council is expected to be certified in June but I’m guessing that incumbents Bridget Newton or Beryl Feinberg won’t run again if they haven’t already submitted petitions. The deadline to submit petitions is Friday, September 8. If you want the latest information, the City Clerk’s office is maintaining a list online (BOSE meeting minutes and videos are not always available).

The big challenge for the candidates is getting the attention of voters. Yard signs and direct mail will be essential, but it is incredibly expensive (especially as postage rates increase on July 9) and can create a campaign budget that easily crosses the $10,000 line—which can discourage good candidates for office. Candidate for Council David Myles demonstrates the tenacity required when running for office nowadays. In the last election, he knocked on the doors of every voter at least twice. Last week, he already dropped off a brochure at my house.

The big challenge for voters is sorting through the candidates’ slogans and platitudes (lower taxes!, fight crime! end government waste! stop overcrowded schools!—if you hear any of these, choose someone else who understands the issues better). With no local newspaper covering Rockville on a regular basis to provide an independent perspective, voters will have to rely on what the candidates say (hmm, sounds mighty biased to me). It will be the candidate’s postcard in the mail, one of the three candidate forums, meeting candidates as they walk the neighborhood, the Rockville 11 special broadcast, or the City’s voter’s guide. I’ll try to do my part in navigating the noise, so check back regularly. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

The election for Mayor and six Councilmembers to four-year terms will be on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Rockville will conduct its second vote-by-mail election with ballots mailed to all registered voters who live within Rockville city limits by October 13. Ballots must be returned via an official drop box, by mail to City Hall, or in person on Election Day at City Hall and Thomas Farm Community Center. All ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. More details at Voting and Elections on the city website.