As a resident of The Enclave apartment complex in Silver Spring, I've seen firsthand how vital it is to have leaders who show up for tenants like us—people who face serious issues with landlords and property managers. When our building had major issues with security, mold, pest infestations, and broken elevators, it was County Executive Marc Elrich and Councilmember Krisin Mink who came to listen and to fight alongside us. It was Senator Will Smith who has walked the halls with us in multiple buildings. That’s why I’m voting No on Question A. We need leaders with the time and experience to stand up for communities like mine, not politicians who come and go, with only two terms to barely learn our challenges.

Our fight at The Enclave wasn’t just about broken elevators or mold—it was about the safety and dignity of everyone living here. When our concerns went unheard for years, Marc Elrich, along with Councilmember Mink, Congressman Raskin and other officials, didn’t just make promises. They showed up in person, talked with us at press conferences, stood by our side during tenant meetings, and demanded accountability from our building’s management. I remember Marc looking directly at us, saying, “You have a right to be safe, and you have a right to get what you pay for in your rent.” For those of us who were there, this wasn’t just talk. He listened and worked to improve our lives, not because it was easy, but because he cared.

Question A, which seeks to shorten term limits, is not about improving governance—it’s a maneuver by developers and special interests to have more control over who represents us. These developers don’t want leaders who stand up to them; they want leaders who cater to them, plain and simple. And that’s exactly why they don’t want Marc Elrich around. They don’t like his pro-tenant policies or his willingness to stand up to big-money interests. This ballot question is being funded by these same groups, not by regular Montgomery County residents. They’re hoping that with shorter terms, our leaders won’t have the time to build expertise and that constant turnover will give them a foothold to push their profit-driven agendas.

We already voted for three-term limits in 2018, allowing our County Executive to build the experience necessary to tackle complex issues like housing and public safety. Changing this now doesn’t benefit the people of Montgomery County. It weakens our government and makes it harder for officials to advocate effectively for us, the residents. Issues like those we face at The Enclave—where our well-being and safety are on the line—need committed leaders who know the ropes, not politicians under pressure to pack up and leave just as they’re starting to understand our struggles.

When you vote on Question A, remember that you’re not just voting on term limits. You’re deciding whether our county should be led by those who represent our needs or by those backed by developers who don’t want tenants like us to have a voice. I urge all my neighbors to stand with me,  Marc Elrich, and the officials who’ve had our backs. Let’s vote No on Question A and keep Montgomery County in the hands of those who know it best and who are truly invested in its future.