Learn about where Rob stands on the issues.
These are some of Rob’s top priorities if elected to Montgomery County Council. There are a lot of pressing issues facing our residents, many more than are on this webpage. If there’s something you care passionately about, or would like to pick his brain on a particular issue, please email Rob directly (click here). Thanks for reading!
Smart Growth/Transportation
Growth and transportation issues are near and dear to Rob, having deliberated on and advocated for various priorities in Gaithersburg, and impacting the entire mid-county area. In fact, Rob got his start in local politics while serving on his neighborhood’s board, a transit-oriented community adjacent to I-270 and now accessible by the new Watkins Mill Interchange. District 3 is unique among districts in that the County’s planning jurisdiction overlaps with the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and understanding the issues relevant to these jurisdictions is critical to representing them at the county level. As a council member for the past six years in Gaithersburg, Rob is well-versed in the growth and transportation priorities in District 3, and will bring that knowledge, expertise and relationships with municipal leaders to effectively represent the residents of District 3.
Education
Tied closely with growth policies, is making sure our children have the resources available to succeed in public education, and beyond. One of the most important roles of the County Council is its budgetary authority over public school operations and school construction. Rob will make sure our schools are funded for success, including the critical need for mental health resources to support teachers, staff and families as we move forward from the past two years of COVID. Rob will also push for more reliable and transparent decision-making on the expenditure of funds for school construction. Making sure that school construction meets the needs of county and municipal growth priorities is critical. Finally, Rob will work with community partners on developing higher education pipelines and employment outcomes focused on our County’s strengths in biotechnology and other fields. Rob also values the critical role Montgomery College is playing in helping to transition and train our residents to be part of the economy of the future. Rob has advocated for innovative education programs in Gaithersburg, including working with community partners to bring a dual-language immersion program to a local elementary school, and funding STEM activities at local schools.
Economic Development
The County is a great place to live and work, attracting one of the most diverse populations in the country, and its economy is better for it. Having traveled the country, and world, Rob understands the value of what we have here in Montgomery County, drawing from the energies and innovation of so many communities is our strength, not only in high technology industries, but also in businesses of every shape and size. Rob will use his expertise gained through many years of work in the federal government and private sector to focus on strategies to grow our economy and foster a climate conducive for businesses to grow and succeed. For years, Rob has supported efforts to grow the bio-health sector centered in Gaithersburg, and has been working with like-minded individuals to leverage our proximity to federal laboratories for economic development. Rob has also been laser-focused on strategies to support and grow small businesses in the city through smart-growth, common-sense policies and incentives needed for these businesses to thrive.
Environmental Stewardship
Rob is a self-professed tree hugger. From his days in college where he earned a degree in biology and environmental studies, Rob has always had a passion for environmental sustainment, preservation and stewardship that permeates his life and thinking to this day. At-home practices to reduce our burden on mother earth, such as recycling, composting, and energy conservation, are practiced and taught to his children. Moreover, use of our area’s iconic green spaces (Rob is an avid hiker and biker) fosters an appreciation of what we have, and what we must fight to protect. Rob has also focused much of his time on the Gaithersburg Council focusing on environmental issues. As the long-time council liaison to the city’s Environmental Affairs Committee, Rob has worked with like-minded residents to advance green policies in the City. From adoption of legislation that reduces the use of harmful pesticides, to energy benchmarking, expansion of community composting in the city, and adoption of innovative green building standards, Rob has been at the forefront of the city’s progressive, green policy. Rob has also taken a personal interest in green space preservation and expansion in the city, advocated for increased native species tree density on city property, and pushed for the city itself to adopt best environmental practices to reduce its-own impact on the environment. Rob will take these same passions to his work at the county level.
Public Safety
One of the most essential functions of government is providing a safe place for residents and businesses to grow and thrive. From innovative, community-based public safety practices, to ensuring policies and practices on development and infrastructure are focused on the safety of all residents, Rob understands the needs of county residents. As a former military prosecutor, Rob appreciates that our Officers are called to public service to work in one of the most difficult roles a community can ask. He will be a strong advocate for our Officers, supporting them as they deserve for answering the community’s calling. While on the Gaithersburg Council, Rob has shown strong support for the Gaithersburg Police Department, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to do their jobs. While a member of the City’s Police Advisory Committee, and later as the council liaison, Rob has worked with community members to advance progressive community-focused practices to law enforcement and conflict resolution. Rob consistently advocated for best-practices such as cultural competency, social awareness and de-escalation training, the need for focused community-based efforts, and body-worn cameras by officers in the city. Rob has also been a champion for public safety through his extensive work on development and infrastructure policy, advocating for complete streets design, and mixed-modal infrastructure that prioritizes not just vehicle traffic, but also pedestrian and bicycle uses, as well. Rob came onto the council with a focus on building out bicycle infrastructure in the city, and has carried that passion to this day. Rob will continue to work with communities on safety improvements, and has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with advocacy groups whose mission it is to bring awareness to the inadequacies in the county with respect to public safety for all residents.
Smart Growth and Transportation
Growth and transportation issues are near and dear to Rob, having deliberated on and advocated for various priorities in Gaithersburg, and impacting the entire mid-county area. In fact, Rob got his start in local politics while serving on his neighborhood’s board, a transit-oriented community adjacent to I-270 and now accessible by the new Watkins Mill Interchange. District 3 is unique among districts in that the County’s planning jurisdiction overlaps with the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville, and understanding the issues relevant to these jurisdictions is critical to representing them at the county level. As a council member for the past six years in Gaithersburg, Rob is well-versed in the growth and transportation priorities in District 3, and will bring that knowledge, expertise and relationships with municipal leaders to effectively represent the residents of District 3.
Education
Tied closely with growth policies, is making sure our children have the resources available to succeed in public education, and beyond. One of the most important roles of the County Council is its budgetary authority over public school operations and school construction. Rob will make sure our schools are funded for success, including the critical need for mental health resources to support teachers, staff and families as we move forward from the past two years of COVID. Rob will also push for more reliable and transparent decision-making on the expenditure of funds for school construction. Making sure that school construction meets the needs of county and municipal growth priorities is critical. Finally, Rob will work with community partners on developing higher education pipelines and employment outcomes focused on our County’s strengths in biotechnology and other fields. Rob also values the critical role Montgomery College is playing in helping to transition and train our residents to be part of the economy of the future. Rob has advocated for innovative education programs in Gaithersburg, including working with community partners to bring a dual-language immersion program to a local elementary school, and funding STEM activities at local schools.
Economic Development
The County is a great place to live and work, attracting one of the most diverse populations in the country, and its economy is better for it. Having traveled the country, and world, Rob understands the value of what we have here in Montgomery County, drawing from the energies and innovation of so many communities is our strength, not only in high technology industries, but also in businesses of every shape and size. Rob will use his expertise gained through many years of work in the federal government and private sector to focus on strategies to grow our economy and foster a climate conducive for businesses to grow and succeed. For years, Rob has supported efforts to grow the bio-health sector centered in Gaithersburg, and has been working with like-minded individuals to leverage our proximity to federal laboratories for economic development. Rob has also been laser-focused on strategies to support and grow small businesses in the city through smart-growth, common-sense policies and incentives needed for these businesses to thrive.
Environmental Stewardship
Rob is a self-professed tree hugger. From his days in college where he earned a degree in biology and environmental studies, Rob has always had a passion for environmental sustainment, preservation and stewardship that permeates his life and thinking to this day. At-home practices to reduce our burden on mother earth, such as recycling, composting, and energy conservation, are practiced and taught to his children. Moreover, use of our area’s iconic green spaces (Rob is an avid hiker and biker) fosters an appreciation of what we have, and what we must fight to protect. Rob has also focused much of his time on the Gaithersburg Council focusing on environmental issues. As the long-time council liaison to the city’s Environmental Affairs Committee, Rob has worked with like-minded residents to advance green policies in the City. From adoption of legislation that reduces the use of harmful pesticides, to energy benchmarking, expansion of community composting in the city, and adoption of innovative green building standards, Rob has been at the forefront of the city’s progressive, green policy. Rob has also taken a personal interest in green space preservation and expansion in the city, advocated for increased native species tree density on city property, and pushed for the city itself to adopt best environmental practices to reduce its-own impact on the environment. Rob will take these same passions to his work at the county level.
Public Safety
One of the most essential functions of government is providing a safe place for residents and businesses to grow and thrive. From innovative, community-based public safety practices, to ensuring policies and practices on development and infrastructure are focused on the safety of all residents, Rob understands the needs of county residents. As a former military prosecutor, Rob appreciates that our Officers are called to public service to work in one of the most difficult roles a community can ask. He will be a strong advocate for our Officers, supporting them as they deserve for answering the community’s calling. While on the Gaithersburg Council, Rob has shown strong support for the Gaithersburg Police Department, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to do their jobs. While a member of the City’s Police Advisory Committee, and later as the council liaison, Rob has worked with community members to advance progressive community-focused practices to law enforcement and conflict resolution. Rob consistently advocated for best-practices such as cultural competency, social awareness and de-escalation training, the need for focused community-based efforts, and body-worn cameras by officers in the city. Rob has also been a champion for public safety through his extensive work on development and infrastructure policy, advocating for complete streets design, and mixed-modal infrastructure that prioritizes not just vehicle traffic, but also pedestrian and bicycle uses, as well. Rob came onto the council with a focus on building out bicycle infrastructure in the city, and has carried that passion to this day. Rob will continue to work with communities on safety improvements, and has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with advocacy groups whose mission it is to bring awareness to the inadequacies in the county with respect to public safety for all residents.
Friends of Robert Tunghay Wu
328 Grand Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Authorized by the Friends of Robert Tunghay Wu Campaign. Yamil Hernández, Treasurer.