Will Jawando Becomes First Candidate Certified for Public Financing
SILVER SPRING, MD — Today, Will Jawando was officially certified by the Maryland State Board of Elections as a qualified candidate for Montgomery County's Public Finance System. Jawando is the first candidate in the county to qualify for the program this cycle, demonstrating his commitment to running a campaign powered by people, not special interests.
“This campaign is about all of us—the working families, students, seniors, and immigrants who make Montgomery County such a vibrant and resilient community,” said Will Jawando. “Qualifying today shows that our message is resonating and we have undeniable momentum in this race. We don’t need to rely on big money or special interests to build a winning campaign. We’re powered by people, and we’re ready to fight for them every day.”
Jawando’s campaign is the fastest in Montgomery County history to raise the individual contributions needed to meet the public financing threshold, achieving the requirement of 500 in-county contributions in just 42 days after publicly launching the campaign on May 21. To date, Team Jawando has raised over $90,000 from almost 1,000 contributions, with over 80 percent of donations coming from Montgomery County residents. With support pouring in from every part of Montgomery County—from Dickerson to Burtonsville and Clarksburg to Takoma Park—it’s clear that Will’s track record and bold vision are striking a chord with everyday residents.
Designed to reduce the influence of big money in local politics, the public financing system matches small-dollar donations from county residents, giving grassroots campaigns a level playing field. By opting in, Jawando has agreed not to accept contributions over $500 from individuals, and not to accept any contributions from corporations, or other special interests.
“This is how democracy should work—transparent, accountable, and rooted in the values of the people it serves,” Jawando said. “We’re proud to run a campaign that reflects the integrity, diversity, and determination of our community.”
Jawando’s campaign has received early endorsements from prominent local leaders, including incumbent Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, At-Large Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, and District 5 Councilmember Kristin Mink. He has also been endorsed by the Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers’ District Council (PBWLDC), an affiliate of LiUNA representing over 13,000 members in the region.
An innovative policymaker known for addressing real challenges head-on, Jawando has earned a reputation for bold leadership and practical solutions that directly benefit Montgomery County residents. Born and raised in Montgomery County, Jawando is a civil rights attorney who previously served in President Obama's White House. He is the first Nigerian-American elected to Montgomery County Council, where he serves as Vice President, chairs the Education and Culture Committee and serves on the Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee and Audit Committee.
