Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 18, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Shruti Bhatnagar — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Shruti Bhatnagar is a dedicated community advocate running for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 18. With decades of leadership experience, she serves as an appointed member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and on the Maryland Democratic Party Executive Committee. Bhatnagar is a passionate environmentalist, serving as Vice President for Conservation on the Sierra Club's National Board of Directors. In 2016, she founded the Indian American Democratic Club to engage voters. An Emerge Maryland alumna, she has spent years leading grassroots GOTV efforts across her district.

• Edward Fischman — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Edward Fischman is a tax attorney running for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 18. First elected to the MCDCC in 2022, he currently serves as its Treasurer. Beyond this role, Fischman is the Chair of the Montgomery County chapter of Our Revolution Maryland. He is a strong proponent of democratizing party election rules, notably advocating against the practice of committee members appointing themselves to vacant legislative seats. He has testified extensively in the Maryland General Assembly in support of ranked-choice voting, minimum wage increases, and fair tax policies.

• Teresa Ramirez — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 18, Maryland

  Dr. Teresa Ramirez is a dedicated scientist and educator running for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 18. A first-generation Mexican American with a PhD, she brings over twenty years of biomedical research experience. Dr. Ramirez previously worked at the National Institutes of Health and serves as a program manager at EcoLatinos. As an advocate for STEAM education, she helped establish a lasting partnership between the NIH and Wheaton High School's Bioscience Academy. The Montgomery County Council honored her leadership during the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month. She resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.