Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Hashan Chowdhury — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

  Hashan Chowdhury is a public safety professional, community leader, and Democratic organizer running for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland’s Legislative District 39. A Germantown resident, he has worked in public safety since 2010 with Parole and Probation and the Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR), gaining firsthand experience in rehabilitation, reentry, and community safety. He serves as President of the Parkland Middle School PTSA and previously represented parents on the Montgomery County Commission on Child Care, advocating for students and working families. Hashan is also President of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor (Maryland Chapter) and the Bangladeshi American Foundation, promoting worker rights and civic engagement. A former Democratic committee member, he is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive party that engages voters and delivers for all residents of District 39.

• Lisette Orellana Engel — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

  Lisette Orellana Engel is a Democratic candidate for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 39. With over 15 years of policy experience, she serves as the Director of Economic Policy for UnidosUS, the largest Latino civil rights organization. In this role, she focuses on advancing economic opportunities for the Latino community, with an emphasis on pay equity, access to tax credits, and support for working families. She holds a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore. Engel has also been an active community leader, serving on the Montgomery County Community Action Board and the Latino Democratic Club of Montgomery County.

• Zane H. Jones — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

  Zane H. Jones is a Democratic candidate for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 39. He is a resident of Germantown, Maryland. Publicly available information regarding his professional background, community involvement, and specific political platform is limited.

• Saher Kataria — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

  Saher Kataria is a candidate for the Democratic Central Committee in Maryland's Legislative District 39. A resident of Gaithersburg and a lifelong Democrat, she is a first-time candidate for public office. Kataria has worked as a federal government attorney for over 15 years, specializing in disability rights law. She earned her law degree from The George Washington University Law School. Her campaign platform focuses on expanding the Democratic party by registering more voters, increasing turnout in all elections, and educating voters on the Democratic platform.

• Marc Anthony Robles — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

  Marc Anthony Robles is a member of the Maryland Democratic Central Committee representing Legislative District 39. A Navy veteran, husband, and father, he is also a small business owner who has resided in Montgomery Village for over ten years. Robles has been an active participant in local politics, running for a delegate vacancy in 2023. His policy priorities include enhancing the quality of life for residents through initiatives focused on affordable housing, livable wages, and education. His current term on the Democratic Central Committee is set to expire in 2026.

• Emilee Towey — Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39, Maryland

  Emilee Towey is a Democratic candidate for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee in Legislative District 39. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County and a graduate of the University of Maryland, she is an advocate for renter's rights and affordable housing. In her role as an outreach coordinator for the Montgomery County Renters Alliance, she has testified in support of just-cause eviction protections and other tenant-focused legislation. Towey is a law school student and continues to be actively engaged in local community issues.