Council Member Lisa Henderson Conditionally Selected as Mayor of Gaithersburg

Council Member Lisa Henderson has been conditionally selected by peers on the City Council to serve as mayor of the City of Gaithersburg until the next municipal election. The selection is contingent upon the election of current Mayor Jud Ashman as District 3 representative to the Montgomery County Council on November 3, 2026. Pending the outcome of that election, it is anticipated that Council Member Henderson will be sworn in as mayor during a Special Session on Monday, November 9.

"I'm truly honored by the support and confidence of my colleagues on the Council," said Council Member Henderson. "Gaithersburg is home. I grew up in this community; I am a product of this community, and I've had the privilege of watching Gaithersburg grow and blossom into the vibrant and diverse city it is today. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as Mayor and to continue working on behalf of everyone who calls Gaithersburg home."

Henderson holds an M.S. in technology management from Johns Hopkins University and serves as a program director for Montgomery County Government. She has served on the City Council since 2021, including a term as Council Vice President from 2022 to 2023, and is the Gaithersburg liaison to the Senior Advisory Committee. Her civic involvement also includes roles with the Women's Democratic Board of Directors and treasurer of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League.

Council Member Henderson will serve as Mayor until the next municipal election in November of 2027. In that election, the mayoral term will be for two years, fulfilling the remainder of the four-year term that began in 2025.

"I'm proud of all that my colleagues on the City Council and I have accomplished together over the years," said Mayor Jud Ashman. "And if I'm elected to the County Council, I'll leave knowing the City is in the very best of hands - with Lisa Henderson at the helm and an outstanding City Council at her side. Gaithersburg's future is as bright as ever."

The City received 14 applications for the anticipated vacant City Council position. Seven individuals have been asked to deliver a three-minute statement during the Mayor and City Council Meeting on Monday, October 19 and participate in interviews with the Mayor and City Council during the week of October 19. The seven applicants include Matthew Robert Amon, Alyssa Todaro Krumlauf, Laura Kathryn Winifred Searles, Jayson Leslie Spiegel, Christopher James Thoms, Carla Tanguay White, and Shanika Tanise Whitehurst.

The City Council is expected to select the new City Council member during a Closed Executive Session on Monday, October 26, and the new member will be officially sworn in into office at the November 9 Special Session. The new council member will serve until the next City of Gaithersburg election in November 2027.

Section 35 of the City Code allows for the City Council to select individuals to fill vacancies and also provides for a public petition for a special election for either or both of these appointed positions. The petition must contain the signatures of at least 20 percent of the registered voters in Gaithersburg and be received within 30 days of an appointment. Please see the City Code under the "Government" tab on the City's website at www.gaithersburgMD.gov for details.

Any questions regarding elections and appointments should be directed to City Clerk Lia Jones at [email protected].