[3] He worked as a manager in the automotive department at Montgomery Ward before getting a master's degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University.

[9] The Washington Post endorsed his candidacy in 2010 and 2014, stating that he was viewed as somewhat anti-business, but advocated a business-beneficial transit system and had a strong focus on efficiency and the development and planning process.

[10][11] He worked to have environmental concerns addressed in the Clarksburg Master Plan and he spearheaded the effort to protect Tenmile Creek.

[14] He advocated for the elimination of cosmetic use of pesticides on private lawns because of their cancer-causing chemicals helping the county become the first locality in the country to do so and was considered a key co-sponsor of the legislation.

[17] He voted for the Montgomery county five-cent bag tax to fund environmental cleanup efforts.

[19] In 2013, Elrich was the lead sponsor of legislation to increase the county's minimum wage, which raised it to $11.50 per hour.

[20] Elrich twice was the lead sponsor of legislation to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour in Montgomery County.

[24] In 2019, Elrich banned Montgomery County police stations from displaying thin blue line flags.

[25] In 2019, The Washington Post editorial board called Elrich's decision to block construction of communication towers in Montgomery County a "victory for NIMBYism.

"[26] In 2013, Elrich was the lone vote to oppose a plan to preserve affordable housing along the Purple Line light rail corridor.

[36] He has cast doubt on projections by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments on the need for more middle-income and low-income housing.

[41] He voted against the Bethesda Master Plan because it failed to consider the effect the increased density would have on roads and schools.

[44] He opposed a proposal to sell land adjacent to the White Oak Food and Drug Administration campus because local roads and infrastructure were not equipped to handle additional traffic and students.

[45] In 1995, he joined with community members and fought against a proposed mega mall in downtown Silver Spring.