Omar Lazo is running for the Montgomery County Board of Education at-large seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Lazo says he served as a trustee on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees and has three daughters enrolled in Montgomery County Public Schools.
The nonpartisan race also includes Brenda M. Diaz, according to BallotReady election data. Lazo is certified for the ballot. The at-large seat represents all of Montgomery County.
Candidate information
- Name: Omar Lazo
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Office sought: Montgomery County Board of Education, at-large
- Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration and management, University of Maryland - College Park (1999); high school diploma, St. Catherine Laboure School (1995)
- Family: Lazo says he is the father of three daughters in MCPS. One attends elementary school, one is in high school and one participates in the Early College program at Montgomery College, according to his campaign website.
Experience and public service
Lazo says he served as a trustee on the Montgomery College Board of Trustees. He says he helped guide the college to become Maryland's first Hispanic-Serving Institution and a federally recognized Minority-Serving Institution.
He also lists the following civic roles, according to The MoCo Show, his 2022 County Council candidate questionnaire and campaign materials:
- Chair, Montgomery County Workforce Development Board
- Member, Black and Brown Coalition for Educational Equity and Excellence
- Second vice president, Wheaton and Kensington Chamber of Commerce
- Board member, Wheaton Arts Parade
- Member, Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee
- Member, Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee
- Member, Committee for Montgomery
On the professional side, Lazo lists ownership of Simply Bliss Salon and Los Chorros Restaurant, according to BallotReady profile data. He previously worked as a financial accountant at CACI International and as a realtor at Aguilar & Associates Realty. BallotReady also lists him as a contractor at the U.S. Department of Justice.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Lazo's campaign website and his BallotReady candidate responses. They reflect the candidate's own stated priorities.
Student safety and fentanyl prevention: Lazo says he advocates for comprehensive fentanyl education and prevention, partnering with county and state agencies, schools and community groups to inform parents. He calls student safety a top priority for the board.
Educator support: Lazo says he wants to strengthen support for educators and ensure classrooms have the resources they need.
Budget transparency: Lazo says he aims to rebuild trust and transparency in decision-making and budgeting.
Equitable access to programs: Lazo says he would expand equitable access to academic and career programs, including language support, arts, STEM and early college pathways.
Family engagement: Lazo says he wants to improve communication and family engagement so parents and caregivers are informed, included and respected.
Endorsements
Lazo has received the endorsement of the Maryland State Education Association, according to BallotReady profile data.
Candidate information in this profile is drawn from BallotReady election data, the candidate's campaign website and questionnaire responses. The Bethesda Beacon did not interview the candidate for this profile. Voters can learn more at omarlazo4boe.com.
