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
Upcoming Events
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Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
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Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
-
Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
-
Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
-
Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Every Tom4Takoma meet & greet is family friendly, but this one is set to be extra easy for parents. We’ll have:
Buttered noodles for all kiddos
Drinks and snacks for kids and grown-ups
A backyard playground and Tom4Takoma coloring book pages
5:30pm - Come on over! Buttered pasta will be ready.
6pm - Tom will speak, we'll ask questions.
7pm - Wrap it up in time for bedtime (or stick around and ask more questions!)
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
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 of Takoma Park because the incumbent is not meeting the challenges confronting us. 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
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Spend Smartly
Control expenditures. Projects and programs that meet community needs and are affordable will get funded. Those that don’t won’t.
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Rein in Tax Increases
Property taxes are increasing too fast. When property taxes increase faster than the rate of inflation, it’s time to find new ways to get things done. Some of our neighbors on fixed incomes, often older neighbors, have already left Takoma Park because of high taxes.
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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. ICE, not TPPD, needs to be defunded and replaced.
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Build Housing
I have long supported construction of multifamily housing (market, missing middle and affordable) on Hospital Hill. In 2022, I testified to the County Council saying so. The challenge is meeting housing needs without displacing our neighbors who rent their homes. The challenge isn’t theoretical, it’s imminent. As this is being written, Edinburgh House is proposed for demolition and replacement leaving 45 families facing possible displacement.
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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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Sunshine not Secrecy
There have been at least 16 closed sessions regarding the $1million settlement of the lawsuit brought by a civilian employee of the police department who was sexually harassed by a Sergeant. We deserve to know, among other things, why the harasser remained employed in the Police Department for more than two years.
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Stop Over Spending
The library renovation started as a $3 million renovation and ended up costing $15 million plus debt service. That’s five times the original budgeted amount. The City is now seeking bids to expand police department offices. How much is that going to cost over budget?
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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.”