Gaithersburg Councilmember 'Conditionally Selected' As City's Next Mayor

GAITHERSBURG, MD — The Gaithersburg City Council has "conditionally selected" Councilmember Lisa Henderson to serve as the next mayor.

Henderson has served on the City Council since 2021, also working as a program director in the county government.

"I’m truly honored by the support and confidence of my colleagues on the Council," Henderson said in a statement.

"Gaithersburg is home. I grew up in this community; I am a product of this community, and I’ve had the privilege of watching Gaithersburg grow and blossom into the vibrant and diverse city it is today. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as Mayor and to continue working on behalf of everyone who calls Gaithersburg home."

The Tuesday announcement comes as current Mayor Jud Ashman is in the running to serve as the next 3rd District councilmember on the Montgomery County Council.

Should Ashman beat out Republican challenger Rickey Fai Mui, Henderson will be officially sworn in as mayor on Nov. 9 and serve through the city election in November 2027.

"If I'm elected to the County Council, I'll leave knowing the City is in the very best of hands - with Lisa Henderson at the helm and an outstanding City Council at her side," Ashman said in a separate statement.

"Gaithersburg's future is as bright as ever."

Henderson's empty City Council seat will be filled by one of several candidates who recently interviewed for the posting. Of 14 candidates who applied, seven were interviewed.

The new member is expected to be selected during a closed executive session on Oct. 26, being sworn in the same day as Henderson. Similarly, the individual will also serve until the 2027 election cycle.