Silver Spring—The National Nurses Organizing Committee, an affiliate of National Nurses United, the nation's largest union of registered nurses, today announced its endorsement of Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich for County Executive and at-large Council candidates Brandy Brooks, Danielle Meitiv, and Chris Wilhelm, and Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker for re-election in District 5 (Silver Spring/Takoma Park).

“Registered nurses are proud to endorse Councilmember Marc Elrich to be the next Montgomery County Executive because he is the clear progressive candidate with a history of bold leadership on issues vital to public health, working families, and the environment,” said Anne Varughese, RN, a Montgomery County resident and member of NNOC/NNU. “Elrich has been the pivotal council leader on issues as diverse as the minimum wage, environmental health, Bus Rapid Transit, reproductive health and empowering registered nurses to speak up for the safety of their patients and their rights on the job. No one is better prepared to lead Montgomery County or has demonstrated that he shares nurses’ values more than Marc Elrich, a consistent ally of our students, workers, advocates for economic justice and human rights, the environment, and immigrants.”

"I have a deep admiration for nurses. In addition to being unsung heroes of our health care system, they're untiring in their advocacy for a better world for their patients and the broader community,” said Marc Elrich. “I've been proud to partner with National Nurses United in that advocacy and to stand with them in their own push for fairer working conditions. I am honored to have their support."

“Registered nurses are excited to endorse Brandy Brooks, Tom Hucker, Danielle Meitiv, and Chris Wilhelm for Montgomery County Council, because they wholeheartedly share nurses’ values and are committed to patient safety, working families and health care justice,” said Drew Biederman, RN, a member of NNOC/NNU and a resident of Montgomery County. “The Montgomery County Council needs new energy and a renewed focus on making our county a place where all residents can thrive. Nurses stand with Chris, Danielle, Tom, and Brandy, because they offer bold, progressive leadership to ensure that Montgomery County is a healthy and fair place for everyone to live and work.”

"I am incredibly proud to be endorsed by the registered nurses of NNOC/NNU,” said Brandy Brooks. “They are not only national leaders on progressive policy for health care and workers - they're fighting right here in Montgomery County to ensure that nurses can work in safety and with dignity as they provide the health care our communities need every day."

"I'm honored by the endorsement of the National Nurses Organizing Committee! I know that the critical role that nurses play on the front lines of patient care puts them in a unique position to understand not just our health care needs, but our needs as a society to achieve better health care outcomes,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker. “I'm proud to support nurses because what's good for nurses is good for patients and good for our whole society. And I'm proud that they're supporting me."

“I am honored to be endorsed by NNOC/National Nurses United, the largest nurses union in the country. Nurses understand that true healing is inextricably linked to the health of our communities and our climate,” said Danielle Meitiv. “As a climate scientist, I am proud to join them in the fight to bring environmental justice and economic equality to Montgomery County.”

"I'm honored to receive the endorsement of the National Nurses Organizing Committee. They have been at the forefront of movements pushing for social and economic justice, even when it is not directly related to their own workplaces,” said Chris Wilhelm. “I hope to work with NNOC to build a world where corporate profits don't influence our healthcare decisions and all workers are treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve."

NNOC/NNU previously announced endorsements of former NAACP President & CEO Ben Jealous for Governor of Maryland, Representative Jamie Raskin for re-election to Congress (8th congressional district), Maryland Sen. Roger Manno for Congress (6th congressional district), Maryland Sen. Paul Pinsky for re-election in Prince George’s 22nd legislative district, Maryland Del. Jeff Waldstreicher for senate in Montgomery County’s 18th legislative district, Delegate Erek Barron for re-election in Prince George’s County’s 24th legislative district, Wala Blegay running for an open delegate seat in Prince George’s County’s 25th legislative district, Delegate David Moon running for re-election in Montgomery County’s 20th legislative district, and Delegate Jimmy Tarlau, running for re-election in district 47A in Prince George’s County. 

National Nurses Organizing Committee is an affiliate of National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the United States with more than 150,000 members.