2022 Candidate Profile: Dan Cuda Runs For MoCo Council In District 2

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Republican Dan Cuda is running in the Nov. 8 general election for the District 2 seat on the Montgomery County Council.

Cuda is running against Marilyn Balcombe, who defeated two other candidates in the July 19 primary to be the Democratic Party's candidate in the District 2 race.

District 2's current representative on the council, Democrat Craig Rice, is stepping down after the election.

Patch asked each of the candidates running for the Montgomery Council to fill out the following questionnaire.

Name

Dan Cuda

Campaign Website

dancudacouncil2.com

Party Affiliation

Republican

Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

Married into a Montgomery County family. Susan and I have been married 35 years. We have three children, all graduates of Montgomery County Public Schools and three grandchildren. Susan is a retired school nurse.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No

Education

B.S. from U.S. Air Force Academy, 1976. Ph.D (Public Policy) George Mason University 2011

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Retired U.S. Air Force with 22 years of service. Contract research for Office of Secretary of Defense (24 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Republican Central Committee 2014, 2018

Why are you seeking elective office?

Families, Crime and our County economy: Montgomery County is a failing economy - like a tire with a slow leak. We are not regionally competitive ranking 20th out of 24 in job growth. Crime is rising partly because our down-county politicians in Rockville and Annapolis have chosen to demoralize the police by withdrawing the Police Officers Bill of Rights in place within Maryland since 1974. Finally, I want to see parents with the right to fully see and understand their children's curriculum within the Montgomery County Schools. I will be voting on the $3 Billion annual MCPS budget and I want to help make that happen

The single most pressing issue facing Montgomery County is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The regional long-term planning document, Thrive 2050 is terrifically flawed by taking power from neighborhoods to guide their long-term future and maintain the quality of their communities. A vote on this issue in the County Council is only weeks away and needs to be put off until after the new council is elected. When elected I will send the plan back to the planning board for revision.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent has significant involvement with existing county politics - especially economic development - over the last fifteen years even as we have been losing ground in the regional economy. Growing our economy has been given lip service for decades. I will make our economic growth my first priority. All our problems - traffic, taxes, funding for schools, and even crime - get better with local job growth.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Montgomery County has been under the same down-county leadership for fifty years and my up-county district (Clarksburg, Germantown, North Potomac, Poolesville) has suffered from the bias. The need for a Clarksburg library was recognized 20 years ago but won't be delivered for another 5-10 years. Germantown crime is spiking because of down-county attitudes towards law-enforcement. Poolesville lacks a health clinic and still can't reopen the White Ferry. Thrive 2050 threatens the suburbs of North Potomac and must be radically revised

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My principles are Family, Community, Faith and Work. Parents and their choices for their families must guide Montgomery County government - not the other way around. Communities must be kept safe for all citizens and this requires a mutual respect of the police for all citizens - even suspects - while citizens must cooperate with police as they engage in their difficult work. Faith is the answer to the current pessimism and distrust of our civic institutions. Government must regain the trust of our citizens. Work and jobs maintain families, support the community, give us hope in the future. Many of these elements are now missing in Montgomery County.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am an Eagle Scout, a graduate of the Air Force Academy in 1976, a military pilot with 2,000 hours in the C-130 Hercules four engine cargo aircraft, I served overseas in the 1990-91 Gulf War, worked ten years in the various Pentagon staffs, raised three children and earned a Ph.D studying part-time while working full time. I am an adjunct professor at George Mason University introducing graduate level students in Public Administration to public organization. I am eager to apply my life experience to making Montgomery County government work better.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never give up!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Government must be there to work for the people - their servant not their master.

Related:

Candidate Profile: Marilyn Balcombe For MoCo Council In District 2