Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 16, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Bama Athreya — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 16, Maryland

  Bama Athreya is a candidate for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 16. An expert on international labor issues, gender equality, and social inclusion, she recently served as a Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID. In this role, she managed global portfolios focused on women's empowerment and inclusive development. Previously, Athreya was an Economic Inequality Fellow at the Open Society Foundations and the Executive Director of the International Labor Rights Forum. She holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

• Jim Michaels — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 16, Maryland

  Jim Michaels is an attorney running for re-election to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, representing Legislative District 16 in Maryland. Elected to the county and state central committees in 2022, he serves as Co-Chair of the local party's Rules Committee. Michaels retired after a 34-year career as a senior official at the Federal Reserve Board, where he was the Associate Director for Consumer Laws and Regulations. Additionally, he serves as Chair of the Montgomery County Charter Review Commission and previously served on the Advisory Committee on Consumer Protection. He earned his law degree from George Washington University.