Nancy Floreen Launches Independent Run For County Executive

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Democrat Nancy Floreen announced Wednesday that she will run for Montgomery County executive as an independent. She will face her council colleague, Democratic nominee Marc Elrich.

Floreen, 66, of Garrett Park, was elected as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council in 2002. She is now in her fourth term and serves as chair of the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee. She is also a member of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee.

"I am a candidate for County Executive – unexpectedly, I admit – because it would be a terrible loss for this county to fall into the sort of polarized posturing that has poisoned our national politics," she said in statement.

SEE ALSO:

• Marc Elrich Narrowly Wins Democratic Primary For County Executive
• Elrich And Blair In Tight Race For Montgomery County Executive

Elrich won the Democratic nominee for county executive by only 80 votes against Rockville health care executive David Blair. The unofficial results put Elrich ahead with 37,529 votes, while Blair finished with 37,449 votes, according to results released on the county's website late Sunday night.

Floreen and Elrich will face Republican candidate Robin Ficker, who is an attorney who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination.

“I am determined to give Montgomery County a third, independent choice come November,” Floreen said in the statement. “I call upon all Democrats, independents, and Republicans to say ‘no’ to both flawed extremes, to think for themselves, and to put principle and pragmatism above purely party politics.”

Bethesda Magazine reports Floreen filed to change her party registration to unaffiliated on Monday. State law says she must gather signatures from at least 1 percent of eligible voters in Montgomery County by Aug. 6.

Montgomery County residents have not elected a non-Democrat to the position since 1974, according to The Washington Post.

(Photo by Gerald Martineau/The Washington Post/Getty Images)