Will Jawando, a Democrat and at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, is running for county executive in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Esther L. Wells.

Jawando has served on the council since 2018 and held the title of vice president of the council in 2025, according to his campaign website.

Candidate information

  • Name: Will "Yemi" Jawando
  • Party: Democratic
  • Residence: Jawando says he was born in Montgomery County and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland.
  • Family background: Son of Olayinka Jawando, a Nigerian immigrant, and Kathy Jacob, a proud Kansan, according to his campaign website.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in sociology, Catholic University of America (2004); juris doctor, Catholic University of America (2007), according to BallotReady profile data.
  • Book: Jawando's memoir, My Seven Black Fathers, was released in 2022.

Experience and public service

Jawando has held positions in government, advocacy and the private sector, according to BallotReady profile data and his campaign website:

  • At-large councilmember, Montgomery County Council (2018–present)
  • Vice president, Montgomery County Council (2025)
  • Of counsel, The Raben Group (2013–2015)
  • Director of corporate and government affairs, Discovery Communications (2012–2013)
  • Director of congressional relations, 2012 Democratic National Convention
  • Deputy director of strategic partnerships, U.S. Department of Education (2011–2012)
  • Associate director, Office of Public Engagement, Executive Office of the President (2009–2011)
  • Legislative assistant, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (2007–2009)
  • Legislative aide, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (2005–2007)
  • Vice president, DC NAACP (2006–2008)
  • Law fellow, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (2004–2005)
  • Legal fellow, NAACP National Office (2004–2005)
  • Director, Summer R.I.S.E., WorkSource Montgomery (2017)

On the issues

The following positions are Jawando's own statements, drawn from his campaign issues page and BallotReady questionnaire responses.

Housing: Jawando says he wants to produce affordable housing, preserve existing stock and protect renters from displacement. He says the county should make workforce housing affordable for teachers, police and healthcare workers through down payment assistance and tax incentives.

Transportation: Jawando says he supports expanding transit, advancing Vision Zero and moving away from car trips toward multimodal alternatives. He says communities should have a real voice in how neighborhoods grow.

Education: Jawando says he would fully fund schools, shrink class sizes and expand pre-K.

Economy: Jawando says he wants to create union jobs and grow sectors such as biotechnology and health, cybersecurity and technology. He says the county should expand contracts and lower barriers for minority-, women- and disabled-owned businesses.

Environment: Jawando says the county needs to reduce building emissions, expand locally generated renewable energy and electrify the county fleet.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed on Jawando's campaign endorsements page and BallotReady profile data, credited to the endorsers:

  • Wes Moore, office of the governor of Maryland
  • Angela Alsobrooks, U.S. Senate
  • MCEA — Apple Ballot, Montgomery County Education Association
  • Maryland State Education Association
  • Metro DC AFL-CIO
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Maryland
  • AFSCME
  • 1199SEIU MD/DC, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East MD/DC
  • SEIU Local 500
  • AFGE District 14, American Federation of Government Employees District 14
  • CASA in Action
  • Progressive Maryland
  • Progressive Neighbors
  • Our Revolution Maryland
  • Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund

Candidate positions in this profile are drawn from Jawando's campaign website and BallotReady questionnaire responses. The Bethesda Beacon did not interview the candidate for this profile.