Jeremiah Pope Says He Wants To Make MoCo Affordable, Competitive

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Ahead of the primary elections in June, Patch has invited candidates running to represent the region on the Montgomery County Council 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 Jeremiah Pope, who is running to serve in the at-large county position, can be found below:

Name: Jeremiah Pope

Age: 45

Hometown: South Carolina

Political Affiliation: Democrat

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

2022 Democratic Candidate Montgomery County Council District 5

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?

The biggest issue facing voters in this race is inflation and the rising cost of living. Families across our community are feeling the pressure of higher housing costs, groceries, child care, and everyday essentials.

People want leadership that understands these challenges and is focused on real solutions — strengthening our local economy, supporting small businesses, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring working families can live, work, and thrive in our county. My priority is making Montgomery County more affordable and economically competitive for everyone.

How do you differ from other candidates running against you?

Raised by my grandparents in a small town, I learned early the importance of family, community, and looking out for your neighbors. Those values guided me to a career in public service.

I have spent my professional life working to make government work for people, including serving as chief of staff in the Maryland General Assembly, working for congressional leaders, and former DNC Chair Tom Perez.

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

My experience in community leadership, business, and government has prepared me for this role. I have served as a neighborhood association president, active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) member, started and operated a successful small business, and worked in the Maryland General Assembly.

There, I partnered with advocates, stakeholders, and legislators to help draft and pass laws that break down systemic barriers, protect women and children, combat hate crimes, and expand access to services.

These experiences give me a strong understanding of how government works and how to deliver results. On day one, I will be ready to lead and ensure county government is responsive, effective, and accountable to residents.

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

We need leadership that truly listens to residents and respects their voices. Time and time again, people feel ignored when it comes to decisions about schools, housing, and public safety.

Too often, it feels like our voices simply are not being heard. That has to change.

My campaign is about leadership that lifts every voice. Leadership that goes the extra mile to solve constituent problems. Leadership that listens to the community, not special interest groups. If we want to build a county that works for everyone, we have to put people first. That means making decisions with our residents, not for them.

How do you believe Montgomery County should address data centers?

Montgomery County should adopt a cautious, sustainability-first approach to data centers.

Given their significant energy and infrastructure demands, the county should require developers to meet high standards for renewable energy use, noise and heat mitigation, and environmental protection. Community engagement and full transparency must be central to any approval process.

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

Yes. Montgomery County must be proactive — not reactive — when it comes to data center development.

Before moving forward, the county needs to fully evaluate the long-term impacts on our environment, energy grid, infrastructure, and surrounding communities.

A temporary pause or moratorium provides the time necessary to put thoughtful safeguards in place, ensure transparency, and engage residents in the decision-making process.

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

Yes. I would support new zoning regulations that establish strong, proactive conditions for any data center development, with a primary focus on protecting the environment and public health. This means requiring rigorous environmental reviews, strict limits on noise, heat, and energy use, and clear standards for air and water protections.

Transparency and meaningful public input must be central to the process so communities understand and can shape what happens in their neighborhoods. We can pursue economic opportunities, but not at the cost of environmental sustainability or the health and safety of our residents

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

I will ensure the county strikes the right balance — supporting economic growth while protecting our environment and ratepayers — but that requires clear, enforceable actions.

I would push for strict energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements so data centers minimize strain on our power grid and reduce environmental impact.

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

Data centers can be a significant economic opportunity, but they also place real demands on our energy grid, water supply, and infrastructure. The difference between a good and a bad data center comes down to whether it benefits the community without shifting costs or harms onto residents.

My position is not to ban data centers outright, but to set clear, enforceable standards upfront. If a project meets those standards, it can move forward. If it doesn’t, it shouldn’t be approved.

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

I support the legislation. It’s an important step toward ensuring Maryland upholds its values while maintaining trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

When local police are seen as an extension of federal immigration enforcement, it can discourage people from reporting crimes or cooperating with investigations — making everyone less safe. This law helps keep the focus of local law enforcement on public safety, not federal immigration policy.

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

I do not support the establishment of ICE centers in our county. Our community should be a place where all residents feel safe, respected, and able to live their lives without fear.

Establishing ICE centers would undermine trust between residents and local government, making people less likely to report crimes, seek services, or engage with their community.

We should be focused on policies that bring people together, strengthen public safety, and ensure everyone is treated with dignity, not actions that create fear or division.

What actionable plans would you undertake to address illegal immigration?

Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government, not Montgomery County. Our role at the local level is to focus on public safety, community trust, and making sure county resources are used effectively.

I would ensure that our local law enforcement can focus on their core mission — keeping our communities safe — while maintaining strong relationships with all residents, regardless of immigration status. When people feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with law enforcement, our entire community is safer.

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

The biggest issue facing Montgomery County Public Schools is transparency and accountability in how resources are used. MCPS receives a significant portion of the county’s operating budget, yet student outcomes are not consistently reflecting that level of investment.

We need to ensure that funding is actually reaching classrooms and directly supporting student success. I would push for clearer, more transparent budgeting so parents, educators, and the public can see exactly where dollars are going and what results they are producing.

I also support regular performance audits of programs to determine what’s working and what isn’t — so we can invest more in successful initiatives and redirect resources away from those that are not delivering results.

Our focus should be simple: every dollar spent should have a clear impact on improving student achievement, supporting teachers, and strengthening our schools.

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 would support conducting a thorough, data-driven assessment to determine whether these incidents are isolated or part of a broader pattern. If the data shows a clear need, I am open to implementing targeted use of metal detectors — particularly in schools where there is a demonstrated risk.

At the same time, we cannot rely on one solution alone. I would also invest in early intervention strategies, including stronger communication channels for students and staff to report concerns, increased access to counselors and mental health resources.

The goal is not just to respond to incidents, but to prevent them — by combining smart security measures with proactive support systems that keep our schools safe and focused on learning.

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) in Montgomery County Public Schools as part of a broader, layered safety strategy. When implemented correctly, SROs can build positive relationships with students, respond quickly in emergencies, and help deter serious threats.

That said, SROs should not replace counselors or mental health professionals. We need both. I would ensure clear guidelines, proper training, and accountability so SROs are focused on safety — not discipline.

Ultimately, keeping students safe requires a comprehensive approach: trained personnel, strong prevention systems, mental health support, and secure facilities — all working together to create a safe and supportive school environment.

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

I am a strong advocate for expanding affordable housing in Montgomery County and making sure working families can actually afford to live here. I have testified in support of the Viva White Oak TIF because it represents a smart way to invest in housing, economic development, and infrastructure in an area that needs it most.

Beyond that, we must do more to preserve the affordable housing we already have. I would prioritize funding to maintain and rehabilitate existing public and naturally occurring affordable housing so we don’t lose units faster than we build them.

I also support expanding housing near transit. Transit-oriented development allows us to create more affordable housing options while reducing transportation costs for residents and making our communities more connected and sustainable.

Finally, I would push for policies that require new development to include meaningful affordable units, ensuring that as we grow, we grow in a way that remains accessible to working families — not just higher-income residents.

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

Addressing crime in Montgomery County requires a balanced approach that focuses on both prevention and public safety.

On the prevention side, I would invest in services that address the root causes of crime — expanded access to mental health care, youth programs, job opportunities, and community-based interventions that help keep people on the right path before problems escalate.

At the same time, we must support our police and public safety officers. I will ensure they have the staffing, training, and resources they need to respond effectively and keep our communities safe — especially when it comes to removing violent offenders from our streets.

I also support strengthening collaboration between law enforcement and the community, because trust leads to better outcomes and safer neighborhoods.

Public safety isn’t about choosing between prevention and enforcement — we need both, working together, to create a safer Montgomery County for everyone.

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

My position on the ‘Save Wootton’ initiative is that the Montgomery County Board of Education should consider pausing any student reassignments until a full review can be completed.

Community members have raised concerns about the process, and a more transparent review with continued public engagement may help ensure that decisions are clearly communicated and understood.

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 the proposed 6% property tax increase. Many families are already under significant financial pressure, and current tax assessments are already high.

With ongoing inflation and overall cost-of-living challenges, I believe this is not the right time to increase the property tax burden on working homeowners.

Any funding decisions for schools should carefully consider affordability and the economic realities facing residents.

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

I would look first at ways to improve efficiency before considering any tax increases. That includes reviewing agency operations to identify duplication of services, streamlining programs where appropriate, and ensuring that existing funds are being used effectively and as intended.

I would also work with labor partners, community organizations, and agency leaders to evaluate programs line by line to determine what is working and what is not.

It is our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and ensure resources are used as efficiently and transparently as possible before asking residents for more.