Jud with his grandchildren, Willow and Westley

Mayor Jud Ashman and Governor Wes Moore

Jud with his good friends, Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton and Gaithersburg Councilmember Lisa Henderson

Speaking to the media at the scene of the 2024 tornado.

Jud at the podium at GBF reception 2025

Mayor Jud Ashman has been serving his community for nearly 25 years. A small business owner, he has been a leader in the PTA, on the City Council and served as Mayor of Gaithersburg where he succeeded Sidney Katz when Mayor Katz was elected to the County Council in 2014. Jud Ashman is the longest-serving elected official in Gaithersburg, and the second-longest serving Mayor in Montgomery County.

As Mayor, Jud has been the leader Gaithersburg needed. During his tenure, he has been laser-focused on protecting and improving the quality of life that has drawn people to Gaithersburg for decades. Today, Gaithersburg, the third largest city in the state, has the lowest property tax rate of any large city in Maryland, a low and falling crime rate, and is rated among the 25 best places to live in the entire country.

Now, Jud Ashman is running for County Council, because he believes that the affordability crisis we are seeing in Montgomery County is putting our families’ futures at risk . As our council member, he will focus on the basics.

• Making Montgomery County more affordable.
• Keeping our communities safe from traditional crime AND the attacks we see every day from the Trump administration and its minions.
• Making sure our schools provide the education our children need for the future they deserve – regardless of who they are, where they come from, or their immigration status.

Jud Ashman and his wife Lee are the proud parents of two adult children, and grandparents of two amazing toddlers. They have lived in Gaithersburg for well over two decades.

Here are some of the roles Jud has played in the community over the years:

• Mayor of Gaithersburg: November 2014 – Present
• Member, Gaithersburg City Council: 2007 – 2014
• Founder and Chair, Gaithersburg Book Festival: 2008 – Present
• Coordinator, Quince Orchard High School Cluster of PTAs: 2005 – 2007
• President, Brown Station Elementary School PTA: 2002 – 2003
• Board Member, Orchard Place Homeowner’s Association: 2007 – 2011
• Youth Sports Coach, Gaithersburg Parks and Recreation: 2000 – 2003

Other Current Affiliations:

• Board of Directors, Maryland Municipal League
• Board of Directors, Montgomery Community Media
• Maryland Mayors Association
• Manna Food Center, Advocacy Task Force
• Vice Chair, MML Legislative Committee
• Member, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Rockville Chamber of Commerce

Day Job: 

Jud owns and operates a web design, development, & hosting studio, Web Mobile Image. 

Education: 

• Master’s Degree, Accounting & Financial Management, University of Maryland, Global Campus
• Bachelor’s Degree, Journalism and Political Science, University of Miami (FL)
• Graduate, University of Maryland, Academy for Excellence in Local Governance

Certifications:

• Maryland Open Meetings Act, Academy for Excellence in Local Governance from the University of Maryland
• Ethical Leadership Certification, NASBA Center for the Public Trust

Awards and Recognition:

• The Montgomery County Executive’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities
• EPIC Award for Excellence & Dedication for Teaching and Sharing the Arts & Humanities

Mayor Jud Ashman and Governor Wes Moore

Jud with his good friends, Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton and Gaithersburg Councilmember Lisa Henderson

Speaking to the media at the scene of the 2024 tornado.

Jud at the podium at GBF reception 2025