1st District Candidate Reardon Sullivan Looks To Make Council More Efficient

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Ahead of the primary elections in June, Patch has invited candidates running to represent Montgomery County to complete a questionnaire touching on a variety of key issues.

Candidate responses will be published verbatim in the run-up to the primaries on Tuesday, June 23.

Related:

• Who's Running For Rockville
• Who's Running For Bethesda-Chevy Chase

Questionnaire responses for Reardon "Sully" Sullivan, who is running to serve in the 1st District, can be found below:

Name: Reardon Sullivan

Age: 67

Hometown: Bethesda

Political Affiliation: Republican

Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.

Prior to running for office, I was actively engaged in several citizen-led initiatives focused on improving governance in Montgomery County. I served as Chairman of the Committee for Better Government, which successfully placed term limits for the County Executive on the 2024 ballot. Our team collected over 20,000 signatures, and the measure passed with 67% voter support.

I also chaired the Committee to Control MoCo Spending, a nonpartisan effort to amend the County Charter to limit annual spending increases to the rate of inflation. The committee is working to secure the required 10,000 signatures to place this measure on the 2026 ballot. Upon deciding to run for office, I stepped down as Chair and transitioned leadership to Mark Lautman, an unaffiliated voter.

In addition, I volunteered with the “Nine Districts” ballot initiative, which gathered over 10,000 signatures to propose restructuring the County Council into nine smaller districts to improve representation.

What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?

Due to the anti-business laws and spending proclivities of the current County political class, the County is in a downward spiral. I would propose:

• Implementing fiscal discipline, including measures to limit spending and requiring prioritization of essential services and enforcing the provisions in the “Stop the Spend” ballot petition to limit spending in the County to the prior year’s rate of inflation. This will put a cap on spending and require legislators to make the hard decisions.

• Using technology, including AI, to reduce regulatory burdens and improve operational efficiency.

• Increasing transparency and accountability in government spending to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively, including finding out where our tax dollars are going. When reviewing the County checkbook, we found over 50,000 disbursements to anonymous vendors, totaling over $320 million.

• Evaluating and streamlining programs where duplication or inefficiency exists.

• Cutting back or eliminating unneeded agencies such as the green department at DEP. This is the group that promoted the banning of gas heating. Their efforts are redundant to the efforts of the industry standard, USGBC.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

I have experience in the private business sector that the other candidates don’t have.

Every four years, the local political class promises to bring jobs to Montgomery County and lower our taxes. However, they never deliver as promised. The current crop of District 1 candidates are no different.

While they say they're going to lower our taxes, they are not supporting the “Stop the Spend” ballot initiative to limit spending in the County to the prior year’s rate of inflation. If they really wanted to lower taxes, they would support this ballot initiative to codify spending guardrails in the County.

Also, these candidates don’t know how to bring private sector jobs to the County, or they and their mentors would have already done so. They don’t have the frame of reference or understanding that I do in the private sector. For one, they don’t understand that money has feet and will leave if not treated fairly.

How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?

Given my 30 years of experience in the private sector as a business owner and entrepreneur, I bring something fundamentally different, and necessary, to the County Council which has been dominated by the “Political Class,” career politicians, and staffers.

First, there’s real-world accountability. A business owner lives and dies by decisions: hiring, budgeting, pricing, risk management. If they make bad calls, there are immediate consequences, lost revenue, layoffs, or even closure. That kind of lived accountability tends to produce more pragmatic, results-oriented thinking than environments where consequences are slower or more diffuse. When staffers, like the other candidates in the D1 race, make bad decisions, they continue to get promoted.

Second, I have a ground-level understanding of the local economy having dealt directly with regulations, taxes, permitting processes, workforce challenges, and customer needs. That perspective helps ensure policies aren’t just theoretically sound, but actually workable for the people and businesses.

Third, I am an efficiency-driven problem solver. In business, you can’t afford unnecessary complexity or bureaucratic drag, it costs time and money. Bringing that mindset into the County can help streamline processes, cut waste, and push for clearer, more effective systems.

Fourth, as someone who’s successfully run a business for 30 years, I have had to navigate economic downturns, technological shifts, and changing markets. That experience can translate into more forward-thinking policy, rather than reliance on established political playbooks.

What is your opinion of the work being done by the current officeholder, and how will you improve on it?

The current councilmember, Andrew Friedson, has done a reasonably good job. My belief is that he should have done a better job listening to his constituents on several issues.

How do you believe Montgomery County should address data centers?

As a licensed professional engineer with more than 30 years of experience designing secure data centers, I offer a distinct perspective on this issue.

First, the public needs a clear understanding of what data centers are, and are not, since misinformation is widespread.

Second, the development of rules, regulations, and implementation guidelines for data center construction should be led by qualified professionals, not bureaucrats. These standards must address key factors including electrical power, noise, electromagnetic fields (EMF), setbacks, and testing protocols.

Third, there needs to be a reasonable tax structure in place. Northern Virginia receives hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes from data centers.

Fourth, there needs to be penalties and liquidated damages in place for failure to comply.

Do you believe there should be a data center moratorium or a temporary pause? Explain.

First, I believe that there should be task force composed of design professionals, local stakeholders, building owners, scientists, and economists assembled with a mandate to develop guidelines within six months. This work must include public hearings and provide a clear understanding and a path forward.

Second, the development of rules, regulations, and implementation guidelines for data center construction should be led by qualified professionals, not bureaucrats. These standards must address key factors including electrical power, noise, electromagnetic fields (EMF), setbacks, and testing protocols.

Third, there needs to be a reasonable tax structure in place. Northern Virginia receives hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes from data centers.

Fourth, there needs to be penalties and liquidated damages in place for failure to comply.

Do you believe there should be data center regulations put in place? Explain.

The development of rules, regulations, and implementation guidelines for data center construction should be led by qualified professionals with relevant technical expertise. While policymakers play an important role in oversight and public accountability, the technical standards themselves must be grounded in engineering, empirical data, and real-world operational experience. Poorly informed or overly generalized regulations risk being either ineffective or unnecessarily restrictive.

Electrical Power: Data centers require substantial and reliable power. Standards should mandate that data centers provide their own power, focus on grid integration, redundancy, energy efficiency and load management strategies to eliminate strain on our local infrastructure.

Noise: Requirements should provide limits on sound at the property line, allowing for sound barriers and setbacks to eliminate impacts on nearby communities.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): EMF guidelines should ensure proper shielding and testing/measurement protocols to maintain compliance and reassure the public.

Setbacks and Siting: Thoughtful site selection and appropriate setbacks from residential or sensitive areas help minimize visual, acoustic, and environmental impacts. Zoning considerations should reflect community character.

Testing and Compliance Protocols: There should be clear, standardized testing and commissioning procedures to verify that facilities meet design specifications and regulatory requirements before and during operation.

What steps would you take to offset data center impacts to residents’ standard of living, such as rising energy prices?

First, the development of rules, regulations, and implementation guidelines for data center construction should be led by qualified professionals with relevant technical expertise.

Electrical Power: Data centers require substantial and reliable power. Standards should mandate that data centers provide their own power, focus on grid integration, redundancy, energy efficiency and load management strategies to eliminate strain on our local infrastructure.

Noise (Sound): Requirements should provide limits on sound at the property line allowing for sound barriers and setbacks to eliminate impacts on nearby communities.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF): EMF guidelines should ensure proper shielding, grounding, and testing/measurement protocols to maintain compliance and reassure the public.

Setbacks and Siting: Thoughtful site selection and appropriate setbacks from residential or sensitive areas help minimize visual, acoustic, and environmental impacts. Zoning considerations should reflect community character.

Testing and Compliance Protocols: Clear, standardized testing and commissioning procedures to verify that facilities meet design specifications and regulatory requirements before and during operation.

Ultimately, a balanced approach is needed, one that protects public interests while enabling the continued development of critical digital infrastructure.

How would you distinguish between a good vs. bad data center? Or do you believe no data centers should be in the county/district?

A good data center is designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with the established and agreed upon standards and regulations. A bad data center is not.

Gov. Wes Moore signed bills banning agreements between local police and federal immigration officials in February. What is your opinion of the legislation?

I do not support this legislation.

What steps would you take to support or readjust that initiative?

The County Council has no authority in this matter.

What is your stance on the establishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers in the county and/or your district?

The County Council has limited authority in this matter.

What actionable plans would you undertake to address illegal immigration?

I believe that the US and Montgomery County should adopt the Dignity Act. This bipartisan proposal will reform U.S. immigration policy, strengthen border security, and address labor shortages. It proposes a 7-year legal status and work authorization for undocumented, funded by fees paid by participants rather than taxpayers.

Education: What is the biggest issue facing Montgomery County Public Schools? How would you address it?

The biggest issue facing MCPS is performance. Recent MCAP scores show our students are only 57% proficient in key areas. U.S. News rankings indicate we have some schools that are graduating students who are only 15% proficient in math.

Regarding the budget gap, I believe that MCPS should look at their overall efficiencies as compared to other, similar jurisdictions. The Montgomery County Taxpayers League did a deep dive into spending in MCPS and found that MCPS’s overhead was 47% while Fairfax, a similar-sized jurisdiction, was 39%. An 8% delta is significant on a $3.5 billion budget.

A student brings a gun/weapon to campus without setting off any red flags. What security measures would you advocate for to prevent such an incident?

I support bringing back School Resource Officers (SROs) as they can often get ahead of these types of issues. I also believe that additional passive security monitors can be provided, as well as door controls to allow students to seek controlled areas of refuge if/when needed.

Do you believe schools need stricter security measures? Metal detectors? Move away from CEOs and revert to SROs? Explain.

I support bringing back School Resource Officers (SROs) because SROs can play a valuable role in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Reference the rise in school shootings in recent years when SROs were removed, to recognize the importance of having trained security personnel on campus.

First, safety is a baseline requirement for education. Students and teachers cannot focus on learning if they feel vulnerable. SROs provide an immediate, on-campus response to emergencies. Their presence can also serve as a deterrent to serious threats.

Second, SRO programs are about relationships. Through my own interviews with teachers and SROs, I’ve seen how SROs are trained in youth development, de-escalation, and community policing. They often act as mentors, helping to build trust between students and law enforcement. In many schools, students come to view SROs as approachable adults rather than authority figures to fear.

Third, schools today face complex challenges, ranging from mental health crises to cyber threats and broader community issues, which go beyond what educators alone can manage. SROs can help bridge the gap between schools, families, and local agencies, ensuring more coordinated and timely support.

What will you do to encourage affordable/public housing in the county?

We need to change the political climate to encourage the increase of housing stock in the County. Increasing the amount of available housing will reduce prices. Housing prices go up because the demand outpaces supply. This will decrease the number of new projects, and the housing options in the County will decrease.

Due to the political climate in the County, where new laws can be enacted during the time it takes to plan and construct a project, developers are rethinking projects in Montgomery County. Even projects already planned, like B.F. Saul’s 350-unit apartment building at 8001 are being shelved.

The result? Investment in, and availability of, multi-family housing has dropped sharply since rent control was tabled back in 2022.

I believe that the County should invest in “Guardian housing” that will meet the needs of our police, fire and other first responders.

If we want to jump-start our housing and provide long-term affordability, we need policies that encourage development, not drive it away.

How will you address crime in Montgomery County/your district?

I recently had the opportunity to help sponsor a “Back the Blue” luncheon for police officers in MCPD District 2 in Bethesda to show appreciation for our local law enforcement. The event, organized by local Republican women’s clubs and the MCGOP, honored the men and women who serve our community every day.

In speaking with several officers, I was reminded of the demands they face and the long hours, difficult situations, and constant public scrutiny. Many shared that they feel respect for their role has diminished and that they have been unfairly criticized by some local leaders, including Will Jawando.

Officers also raised concerns about the composition of county police advisory boards, changes to qualified immunity, and evolving standards that have made their jobs more complex. While accountability is essential, it’s equally important to recognize the people behind the badge who are working to navigate these challenges.

I was struck by the fact that just nine officers are responsible for patrolling the 60 square miles that make up MCPD District 2.

The bottom line: our community needs more police officers.

What is your stance on the "Save Wootton" initiative by community members?

The mission of Montgomery County Public Schools should be the education of our children. That mission should not be subordinated to large-scale bussing initiatives intended to engineer social diversity, as referenced in Superintendent Taylor’s Boundary Study introduction video (see the 2:10 mark).

The proposed closure of Wootton High School and the adoption of a regional model fail on all three counts. Bussing students across the county in the name of “equity” and “diversity” is a misguided experiment that risks undermining proven academic programs, wasting taxpayer dollars, and disrupting stable school communities.

MCPS’s recent history shows a pattern of inadequate planning and flawed projections. The current conditions facing Wootton, along with the more than $200 million spent on the rushed renovations of Woodward High School and Crown High School, illustrate the consequences of “hurry-up” planning.

As a graduate of Wootton High School, I strongly believe that community matters. The Wootton–Frost cluster has provided decades of stability, cohesion, and continuity for students and families. The value of feeder patterns, proximity to home, and strong school-community ties may be difficult to quantify, but they are real and significant. Children should attend schools in their own neighborhoods.

A 6% property tax increase was proposed for the fiscal 2027 budget to raise funds for schools. Homeowners are reluctant to pay more.

What is your position?

I do not support increasing property or income taxes, nor do I support the creation of special taxing districts. Sustainable economic growth comes from expanding the tax base, not increasing the burden on existing taxpayers. Excessive taxation risks driving residents and businesses out of the County and reduces revenues over time.

I am reminded of the phrase, “You can’t tax your way into prosperity.” The County Executive and Council don’t understand that taxpayers are not their personal ATM. We cannot enrich the County by impoverishing its taxpayers.

When you overtax the residents and businesses, they will leave. This will reduce the tax base and place increased burden on those of us who remain. The same concept applies to the concept of establishing special taxing districts. Businesses will leave.

I have been a staunch advocate of reducing spending before raising taxes. I believe that we need to find out where our tax money is going, eliminate redundancies, and optimize workflow before raising taxes. For example, there are opportunities to improve operational efficiency within major budget areas such as MCPS, where administrative overhead appears significantly higher than in comparable jurisdictions.

What other options would you consider to raise money that does not include raising taxes?

There’s an old saying: do we raise the bridge, or lower the water?

First, we must focus on bringing businesses back to the County and expanding our tax base.

Second, we need to reduce our overall spending by shrinking the size of the local government. We should leverage AI and modern technology to streamline regulations and cut administrative burdens, following successful models like Virginia’s regulatory reform efforts, which reduced regulations by more than 26%.

Third, before considering any tax increases, we must take a hard look at where our money is going. I launched the “Stop the Spend” ballot petition to limit County spending to the prior year’s rate of inflation after our review uncovered more than 50,000 disbursements to “ghost vendors,” totaling over $320 million. The other candidates in the D1 race do not support this measure.

I believe in lowering taxes and fees while enforcing strong fiscal discipline to reduce the overall burden on residents, rather than continually adding new taxes and fees to increase County revenue.