Lazo Leads Diaz in Montgomery County School Board Race

Omar Lazo held a slight lead in the at-large Montgomery County school board race according to early returns. The contest is among the most contested in the county.

Lazo, a businessman and Montgomery College trustee, faces Brenda Diaz. Diaz is a former Montgomery County Public Schools teacher who resigned after violating the mask mandate during the pandemic. Lazo secured the support of the local teachers union, several sitting local leaders, and Governor Wes Moore. Diaz countered by citing parental dissatisfaction with the status quo. A super PAC spent tens of thousands of dollars on opposition ads that called Diaz too extreme for the deep blue county.

In the District 3 race, Sally McCarthy held a decisive lead over Cassandra Sung. Early returns posted at 10 p.m. showed McCarthy capturing nearly 70% of the vote. McCarthy, a longtime PTA leader, raised a large bank account and collected numerous endorsements during her campaign.

Two other seats were uncontested. Board President Grace Rivera-Oven ran unopposed for the District 1 seat. Elma Lorraine Diggs ran unopposed in District 5.

Winners will serve four-year terms on an eight-member board that includes a student representative. The body oversees Maryland’s largest school district, which serves roughly 152,000 students. Members are paid $25,000 annually. The board votes on the district budget, evaluates the superintendent, and sets policy.