Charles W. Gilchrist

Gilchrist took office in 1978 after defeating his Republican opponent, Richmond M. Keeney with a margin of more than 3 to 2 and then became the first Democrat to be elected county executive in Montgomery.

Gilchrist's administration was marked by housing problems and a sewer moratorium, pressure to control spending, a reorganization of County government to make it more centralized, and controversies over appointments. He was able to hold property tax raises to the level of or below inflation, and survive questions over his appointments, some of which led to the "Liquorgate" scandal, which he also survived. He was able to expand social services while holding down the size of government, and oversaw the opening of the Ride-On bus system, the Laytonsville landfill, and the incinerator at Dickerson, which had been planned during the Gleason administration.

In 1984 he announced his retirement after the 1986 election to devote his life to the Episcopal priesthood. Sidney Kramer, the candidate whom he supported to succeed him, won over his opponent by a 7 to 4 margin despite being relatively unknown.