# Immigrant mom runs for Montgomery County executive

> Immigrant single mom Esther Wells challenges Democratic hold on Montgomery County government.
- Title: Immigrant mom runs for Montgomery County executive | Shortify
- Summary: Immigrant single mom Esther Wells challenges Democratic hold on Montgomery County government. Esther Wells, a 39-year-old Republican immigrant from Trinidad…
- Keywords: esther wells, montgomery county, county executive, trinidad, will jawando, democrat, republican, taxpayers league, public schools, police department, news, local
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/politics-power/local-government/esther-wells-montgomery-executive-7SVA6DPBEVDAJJZO7ATOORZG34
- Author: Ginny Bixby
- Published: 2026-10-20T09:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: esther wells, montgomery county, county executive, trinidad, will jawando, democrat, republican, taxpayers league, public schools, police department, news, local
## Esther Wells runs for county executive
Esther Wells, a 39-year-old Republican immigrant from Trinidad, is running for Montgomery County executive against Democrat Will Jawando.

> I’ll be able to restore a bipartisan government
## Wells switched parties in 2018
Wells, a certified public accountant and president of the County Taxpayers League, switched from Democrat to Republican in 2018 after disenchanted with Democratic overtaxing.
## Wells credits schools for her success
Wells credits Montgomery County Public Schools for her success after immigrating from Trinidad in 1995, helping her move from poverty to middle class.
## Wells criticizes Democratic policies
Wells says Democratic policies have led to financial bankruptcy, demoralized police, and failed students in Montgomery County.
## Wells is single mother of two boys
Wells is a single mother of two boys, one with special needs, who attended Montgomery County schools.
## Wells targets tax, school, and police issues
Wells plans to lower taxes, improve school outcomes, and restore the police department with 180 vacancies.
## Wells ran for school board in 2022
Wells ran for the Board of Education in 2022 after her son’s struggles with school during the pandemic.
## Wells wants to be first Black woman executive
Wells aims to be the first Black woman to hold the county executive job in Montgomery County.
## Jawando calls Wells’ campaign unviable
Jawando, a County Council member, called Wells’ campaign unviable and refused to debate her before November’s election.

> It’s not a viable campaign
## Wells focuses on budget and tax issues
Wells says the county executive should propose budgets that don’t require tax hikes to address structural deficits.
## Wells wants better school representation
Wells ran for school board in 2022 after seeing lack of representation for families with children in elementary school.
## Wells plans to restore bipartisan government
Wells says she will restore a bipartisan government by balancing fiscal responsibility and community needs.

> I’ll be able to restore a bipartisan government
## Key takeaway

Esther Wells, a 39-year-old Republican immigrant from Trinidad, wants to run for Montgomery County executive to restore bipartisan government and address tax, school, and police issues.