2022 Candidate Profile: Kate Woody Runs For MoCo Council In District 5

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Republican Kate Woody is running in the Nov. 8 general election for the District 5 seat on the Montgomery County Council.

Woody is running against Kristin Mink, who defeated seven other candidates in the July 19 primary to be the Democratic Party's candidate in the District 5 race.

District 5's current representative on the council, Tom Hucker, is one of four Democrats and three Republicans running for one of the four at-large seats on the council.

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

Name

Kate Woody

Campaign Website

Kate Woody for County Council District 5

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

Husband Martin Baker, Son Luke Baker

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

LLM Law Columbia Law School, NY 1982; JD University of Miami, FL 1976; BA University of Miami, FL 1973

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Lawyer 40+ Member FL, DC, MD, and WY Bars and US Supreme Court; Real Estate Broker 40+; Tax Professional 40+ years, Member U.S. Tax Court 40+ years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

We need a change in the government in Montgomery County Maryland. I am seeking to be a caring and innovative voice for change on the Montgomery County Council in District 5

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

The continued over reach of the County Council that is causing the exodus of people and businesses from our once prosperous county due to mismanagement and overreach by the current County Council. I intend to create a business friendly and safe atmosphere where our businesses can open, grow and thrive through tax policy, support of the police and reduction of overlapping and burdensome regulations.

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

I will tackle the hard issues NOW, rather than propound nebulous goals such as Thrive 2050 which as adopted elsewhere in the US have only led to litigation, displacement of the population and destruction of green spaces. My platform will seek to lower gas and real estate taxes, reduce regulations, promote small businesses, safeguard and support quality education, support police presence in schools, communities and neighborhoods, protect and expand green spaces and advocate for the elderly and disabled.

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

The current County Council claims to invite all opinions of stakeholders but then overrules all opinions that do not coincide with Board desires for mandates through expedited procedures. 20 years on, the County Council continues to rule as the Board of Health, though it has no members qualified to make the momentous decisions made in this area, like the potential introduction of vaccine passports.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign will support family, faith and the rich mosaic of cultures that comprise Montgomery County. I will promote food security through local gardens and greenhouses throughout the County. I endorse the concept of refurbishing and supplementing affordable existing housing.

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

Positions held that required significant leadership skills : Director of Training, Harvard Law School International Tax Program . Chief of Party, of the U.S. Agency for International Development [US ASID] Bankruptcy and Restructuring Project for Former Soviet Union Republics of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan which comprise territory of 2/3 of the size of the United States. Litigation in the area of Equal Opportunity Law.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

In marriage, graze in the grass with the man you love.

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

I have a heart for the Developmentally Disabled. My son is an adult with severe autism. He is non-Verbal but is prospering under the DDA's Self Directed Program where he lives at home and goes out into the community. My role is that of Support Broker. I would like Voters to know that I will bring the same fierce advocacy and energy I use in the field of disabilities to bear in all my campaign issues. I am an excellent listener and desire that the people of Montgomery County Maryland have renewed pride in our local economy, safety, education, and other pressing issues.