About Andrew

Andrew Friedson has become known for his leadership enhancing quality of life, growing the local economy, and modernizing County government with a pragmatic, data-driven approach. He has built broad coalitions to tackle big issues to make Montgomery County more attractive, accessible, and affordable for families and businesses.

TRAILBLAZER

First elected in 2018 as the youngest Councilmember in Montgomery County history, he later made history in December 2023 as the youngest-ever Council President. Serving in his second term representing the only place he’s ever called home, Andrew chairs the Council’s Planning, Housing, and Parks (PHP) Committee and serves on the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee. He also leads as Chair of the Council of Governments’ (COG) Food & Agriculture (FARM) Policy Committee.

AFFORDABLE & TRANSIT-ORIENTED HOUSING

Andrew spearheaded a $100 million revolving Housing Production Fund, a $50 Million Affordable Housing Preservation Fund and has sponsored legislation to incentivize mixed-income communities, smart growth housing near transit and colocation of affordable housing on public land and at places of worship.

INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Andrew successfully introduced Montgomery County’s largest individual economic development package, the New Jobs, Opportunities, and Business Support (J.O.B.S.) Initiative, securing $20 million to attract new business investments, promote innovation, and support historically underserved communities and underrepresented entrepreneurs. He also authored multiple measures to grow the biohealth sector and streamline the County’s regulatory processes to spur innovation and investment.

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

While funding our public schools at record levels, Andrew led the effort to include transparency and accountability metrics in the budget for the first time ever because our students, educators, families, and taxpayers deserve nothing less.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Andrew led efforts to establish and expand the Nonprofit Security Grants program that protects faith-based institutions and nonprofits at risk of experiencing hate crimes so residents can freely and securely learn, live, and worship.

CLIMATE INVESTMENT AND GREEN BUILDINGS

Andrew also co-authored the County’s largest-ever climate investment with the Montgomery County Green Buildings Now Act and the first of its kind Green Building Tax Credit program that reduces energy consumption, especially in historically underserved areas.

TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT

Andrew advocates for transparency in County government and has led efforts to strengthen financial oversight and the County ethics law, expand the Office of Inspector General, improve the budget process, and reform the County’s property tax system.

WOMEN & WORKING FAMILIES

Andrew stands up for working families, and sponsored the Paid Parental Leave and Right to Nourish bills to make sure Montgomery County continues to attract and retain talent so we can best serve our residents.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Described as the “economic and fiscal center of the County,” Andrew has received the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislator of the Year, the inaugural Community Champion Award from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the Public Policy Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, the inaugural Fair Access Committee’s Champion of the Western County Award, the B-CC Rescue Squad’s Hiram Musgrove Memorial Award, and the Glen Echo Park Advocacy Award.