SILVER SPRING, MD — Will Jawando was officially certified by the Maryland State Board of Elections as a qualified candidate for Montgomery County’s Public Finance System. He is the first candidate in the county to qualify for the program this cycle, demonstrating commitment to running a campaign powered by people rather than special interests.
Jawando stated: “This campaign is about all of us—the working families, students, seniors, and immigrants who make Montgomery County vibrant.”
The campaign achieved the public financing threshold of 500 in-county contributions in just 42 days after the May 21 campaign launch. Team Jawando has raised over $90,000 from almost 1,000 contributions, with over 80 percent from Montgomery County residents. Support came from across the county, from Dickerson to Burtonsville and Clarksburg to Takoma Park.
The public financing system reduces big money’s influence in local politics by matching small-dollar donations from county residents. By participating, Jawando agreed not to accept contributions over $500 from individuals and to reject contributions from corporations or special interests.
Jawando emphasized: “This is how democracy should work—transparent, accountable, and rooted in the values of the people it serves.”
The campaign has received endorsements from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy, At-Large Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, and District 5 Councilmember Kristin Mink. The Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers’ District Council also endorsed him.
A civil rights attorney who previously served in President Obama’s White House, Jawando is the first Nigerian-American elected to Montgomery County Council, where he serves as Vice President and chairs the Education and Culture Committee.