The change we want.
The mayor we need.
Tom Gagliardo
These are difficult times. The world is on fire and Trump is trying to destroy America as we know it. But we can't afford to ignore the government that is closest to us.
We deserve a government that is open, values candor, and embraces public input. As a longtime community activist and former Takoma Park city attorney I know that keeping residents informed and involved works. Takoma Park thrives when elected officials listen and act with transparency and accountability.
Smart spending that meets community needs, slowing the rise in property taxes and protecting tenants are key.
As your Mayor I will keep you informed so you can be involved. Let's work together to keep Takoma Park the kind of diverse community we value.
Get involved. Join the campaign.
Thanks, Tom Gagliardo
“This city needs someone who's willing to fight for things, who's willing to stand up for principles we believe in. Tom will fight for them. You need to go out and fight for Tom.”
-County Executive Marc Elrich
“Tom has the values and expertise to lead Takoma Park, and he is committed to listening to his neighbors and communicating about our government.”
-Jessica Landman · City Council Ward 1
“Tom shines a light on our shared challenges, invites everyone to the table, and inspires confidence that together, we can achieve solutions that put people first.”
-Roger Schlegel · City Council Ward 3
“We need a mayor who makes clear choices, explains them honestly, and focuses on what residents get for their money. That’s why I’m voting for Tom Gagliardo.”
-Tim Male · former City Council Ward 2 Read More
“On budget, on transparency, on rent stabilization…I trust Tom to uphold our most deeply held community values.”
- Randy Gibson · former City Council Ward 3
"Having ourselves served on the City Council representing Wards 1, 2 and 5 we enthusiastically endorse Tom Gagliardo to be our next mayor."
-Sharon Levy, Marie Ritzo, Lynne Bradley · former City Council
“Tom believes every resident deserves to feel seen, supported, and invested in. He’ll champion housing stability and strong tenant protections while making sure the needs of all working families are reflected in the city budget.”
-Izola Shaw · Rockville City Councilmember and Affordable Housing Advocate
Questionnaire Responses
How to Vote | November 3, 2026
There are three ways to vote:
In a yellow city dropbox outside the library at 7500 Maple Ave. or at the New Hampshire Ave. Rec Center [dropboxes close at 8pm on Nov. 3rd]
In person on Nov. 3rd at 7500 Maple Ave. [NOT at your state polling place]
By mail, on or before November 3rd. [The City urges you to mail it by Oct 30th to ensure it arrives in time]
Kickoff Event
Tom Gagliardo
County Executive Marc Elrich
Takoma Park Council Member Roger Schlegel
Takoma Park Council Member Jessica Landman
Julia Kann
Former Montgomery County Council Member Tom Hucker and Susan Katz Miller
My whole life has been spent challenging unresponsive officials — as a VISTA volunteer right after college, as a labor, employment and civil rights lawyer for an entire career, and as a community activist. And now as a candidate for Mayor because we need to meet the challenges of climate change, ICE's mistreatment of our immigrant friends and neighbors and development . I have followed the Mayor and the City Council for many years and understand what we need to do-- stop the rapid rise in property taxes, end unwise and unnecessary spending, protect tenants, support construction of housing (market rate, missing middle and affordable) on Hospital Hill, and reassess what we realistically need to be a safe community. It is every elected official's obligation to protect our neighborhoods, to share information and educate the public, to encourage and promote community involvement and to meet in open sessions.
We're all in this together. We need to work to make our City better.
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A Mayor Who Leads
Reassert the Mayor and Council as the body that sets policy based on community needs and sees that policy is carried out. The City Council is not a rubber stamp. As mayor it will be my obligation to facilitate the finding of common ground.
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Getting Value for the Taxes We Pay
Property taxes are increasing too fast. In 18 of the last 19 years they increased in excess of the rate of inflation. When that happens it’s time to find better, more cost effective ways to get things done. Some of our neighbors on fixed incomes have already left Takoma Park because of high taxes. All of us are concerned about affordability, but we need to recognize the severity of the impact on people working paycheck to paycheck and those who have lost their jobs, many in the DOGE onslaught.
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Sunshine not Secrecy
There have been dozens of closed council meetings, an unprecedented number, during this Mayor’s tenure, on topics ranging from how to use opioid class action settlement money, to the handling of the sexual harassment case in our police department.
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Keep Takoma Park Safe and Be Frank About Safety Needs
We deserve a frank assessment of what we need to be a safe community. This is about right-sizing the police force and not defunding it.
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Build Housing
I have long supported construction of multifamily housing (market rate, missing middle and affordable) on Hospital Hill. In 2022 and many times since then I publicly said so.
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Stop Overspending
Control expenditures. Capital improvement projects and programs that meet community needs and are affordable will get funded. Those that don’t, won’t.
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Face the Climate Emergency
There can be no letting up on the work that so many in Takoma Park have done to mitigate the disastrous impact of climate change. Electrifying city vehicles, installing solar, managing storm water, and preserving tree cover are all parts of the solution.
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Protect Tenants' Rights
Stable rents = stable communities. Takoma Park’s longstanding rent stabilization ordinance has kept our City racially and economically diverse. We need to enhance the law, not weaken it.
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Listen to Each Other
Promote and embrace public input. As Mayor I will assure that people can ask questions and get answers
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Read About It
Revitalize the City Newsletter as provided in the unanimously adopted City Council resolution that has long been ignored.
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Resist ICE
It is essential to the survival of our democracy for each of us to speak truth to power. While some have cautioned that speaking out could provoke retaliation against us, consider what might happen if we don't t. We are one community regardless of citizenship or immigration status. An injury to one is an injury to all.
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Inform and Involve
I will keep you informed so you can be involved. This starts with enforcing the 1992 unanimously adopted resolution requiring the newsletter to contain substantive news about plans prior to consideration by the Mayor and Council. You have the right to weigh in before decisions are made.
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Speak Up. I’m Listening
One of the most important things one can do in a democracy is to speak truth to power. I value people who take the time and make the effort to speak up and speak out. If you ask a question, you will get an answer.
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Support and Defend Immigrants
Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective, Peace Park, TPSS Community Safety Network, and many others are resisting the Trump Administration’s cruel policies. As a caring community we can never quit resisting no matter how tired, how frustrated, how afraid we may feel. I know I won’t.
Nominations for Tom
Thais-Lyn Trayer, Tom’s next-door neighbor in Ward 1
“I moved to Takoma Park a little over a decade ago into the house right next to Tom’s.... When I met Tom, the first thing that struck me was how kind he is.”
Nina Aldrighetti, a Ward 2 resident who has known Tom since childhood
“Tom always shows up for our family when it matters most, and today, I’m so happy to get to return the favor.”