Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman declared victory Tuesday night in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County Council District 3, barely edging out Rockville councilmember Izola “Zola” Shaw by a few hundred votes in a race that stayed tight to the end. The result sets Ashman up to face Republican Ricky Fai Mui in November and to potentially succeed outgoing Councilmember Sidney Katz, who is term-limited.
Unofficial numbers have Ashman at 4,931 votes, or 45.43%, and Shaw close behind with 4,749 votes, or 43.75%, a razor-thin margin of 182 votes, according to WTOP. Ashman built his edge through early voting and mail-in ballots, while Shaw outperformed him among voters who showed up on primary day, June 23, as reported by The Baltimore Banner.
What the numbers say
In his victory statement, Ashman leaned hard on his record at City Hall, saying, “What I’ve learned in City Hall is what I want to bring to the County: fiscal responsibility, a growing tax base, and a place where families of every age can actually afford to stay and build a life.” His comments and declaration were reported by The Baltimore Banner. Ashman has served as Gaithersburg’s mayor since 2014 and previously sat on the city council, experience he repeatedly highlighted during the campaign.
Shaw’s pitch and the campaign’s themes
Izola “Zola” Shaw, a Rockville City Council member since 2023 and a former federal employee, ran on a platform centered on affordable housing and workers’ rights, with a particular focus on stronger tenant protections. Those priorities, along with her role on the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission, were outlined in her candidate questionnaire and profile by Montgomery Perspective.
The race also became a proxy fight over the county’s housing direction, with rent stabilization, tenant protections, and new housing production dividing opinion among officials and voters. Those broader countywide debates and how they shaped endorsements and choices in District 3 were detailed in reporting and analysis by Greater Greater Washington. The district turned into a key battleground over how far the county should go on both regulating rents and encouraging growth.
What’s next
Ashman is now set to face Republican Ricky Fai Mui in the November general election. The winner will take over the District 3 seat from Sidney Katz, who is term-limited and will leave office at the end of the year, according to Montgomery Perspective. With Montgomery County’s electorate heavily Democratic, the primary often functions as the decisive contest.
For now, the numbers remain unofficial. County election officials must still certify the results, and with a margin under 200 votes, the finish will be scrutinized as every last ballot is processed. WTOP noted that updated tallies remain unofficial while the county completes its post-election review, a process that could extend the timeline before the outcome is formally locked in.
