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County Executive · Montgomery County · 2026 Primary
The County Executive serves as the chief administrator of the county, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and enforcing laws passed by the County Council. This official proposes the annual budget that directs how local tax dollars are spent on services such as public schools, roads, and emergency response. The County Executive also has the power to appoint department heads and can sign or veto legislation affecting the entire county.
View all candidates in this raceWill Jawando is a civil rights lawyer and former Obama White House Associate Director of Public Engagement who was elected in 2018 as an At-Large Montgomery County Councilmember to represent over 1.1 million Marylanders. Born and raised in Montgomery County, he authored the memoir My Seven Black Fathers reflecting on systemic racism and his mentors, including President Barack Obama. He is running for County Executive to replace term-limited Marc Elrich, emphasizing a platform of fully funding schools, building affordable housing, protecting federal workers from Trump administration attacks, and ensuring government transparency. External coverage notes he is 42 years old and previously withdrew from a bid for U.S. Senator Ben Cardin in October 2023.
Sources: Campaign website
While Trump wages war on our schools, our federal workers, and our immigrant neighbors, Montgomery County needs a County Executive who will fight back.
I'm running for County Executive because I've spent my entire career fighting for people the system wasn't built for — from the Obama White House to the County Council.
We can't afford more caution. We need courage.
I believe everyone should be able to succeed here, raise a family here, and retire with dignity here.
Source: willjawando.com
Education
Fully fund our schools, shrink class sizes, expand Pre-K, and ensure every child gets a world-class education regardless of zip code.
“Fully fund our schools, shrink class sizes, expand Pre-K, and ensure every child gets a world-class education regardless of zip code.”
Housing
Produce affordable housing, preserve what we have, and protect renters from displacement so families can stay in the communities they love.
“Produce affordable housing, preserve what we have, and protect renters from displacement so families can stay in the communities they love.”
Federal Workers
Stand with our 70,000+ federal workers against Trump's attacks and fight to keep their talent and families here.
“Stand with our 70,000+ federal workers against Trump's attacks and fight to keep their talent and families here.”
Immigration
Protect our immigrant neighbors from deportation, expand legal defense, and ensure everyone can access services without fear.
“Protect our immigrant neighbors from deportation, expand legal defense, and ensure everyone can access services without fear.”
Democracy & Good Government
Build a transparent, accountable government that works for people, not powerful interests—with real ethics enforcement and community input.
“Build a transparent, accountable government that works for people, not powerful interests—with real ethics enforcement and community input.”
Maryland Matters reports that Jawando announced his run to replace term-limited Marc Elrich at an event where Elrich endorsed him as a leader with independence and fighting spirit. The article notes he is 42 years old, previously worked in the U.S. Senate for Barack Obama and Sherrod Brown, and withdrew from a bid for Ben Cardin in October 2023. External coverage highlights his stated priorities including rent stabilization, affordable housing, public school investment, and support for small businesses.
“Fully fund our schools, shrink class sizes, expand Pre-K, and ensure every child gets a world-class education regardless of zip code.”
Source“Produce affordable housing, preserve what we have, and protect renters from displacement so families can stay in the communities they love.”
Source“Protect our immigrant neighbors from deportation, expand legal defense, and ensure everyone can access services without fear.”
Source“Protect our green spaces, accelerate clean energy, and ensure climate action reaches every community equitably.”
Source“Expand transit to connect workers to jobs, advance Vision Zero, and fix our roads and infrastructure before they fail.”
Source“Create good-paying union jobs, expand career pathways, and build an economy that works from the bottom up and middle out.”
Source“Build a transparent, accountable government that works for people, not powerful interests—with real ethics enforcement and community input.”
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