Jawando Wins Montgomery County Executive Race

Will Jawando won the Montgomery County executive race on Nov. 3, defeating Republican Esther Wells in the heavily Democratic Maryland county. Early returns showed Jawando with about 82% of the vote, and the Associated Press declared him the winner shortly after midnight on Nov. 4. The early count gave him a lead of roughly 60 percentage points over Wells.

At a Bethesda election-night gathering, Jawando celebrated with supporters and recalled his campaign launch in May 2025. The 43-year-old at-large council member said he had promised the county would be “alright.” He won the June Democratic primary over council colleagues Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass, campaigning on increased education funding and more affordable housing.

Jawando had endorsements from Gov. Wes Moore and outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich. Elrich, barred from seeking a third term after voters approved a two-term limit in 2024, won an at-large County Council seat.

Democrats also won all seven district council races, including victories by school board member Julie Yang in District 1 and Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman in District 3. Five Democratic incumbents retained their seats. The incoming council will include eight women, the most in county history, and is scheduled to take office in December.

Advocates have set out priorities for Jawando’s new administration. On election night, he reiterated campaign promises, but the available account did not detail the advocates’ requests. The county’s new sheriff will be Democrat Will Milam, who ran unopposed; State’s Attorney John McCarthy also won another term without opposition.

Jawando’s Win Puts Education and Housing on the Agenda

Montgomery County voters chose Democrat Will Jawando to lead the county, delivering a decisive rejection of Republican Esther Wells on Nov. 3. Early returns gave Jawando about 82% of the vote, and the Associated Press declared him the winner shortly after midnight on Nov. 4.

Jawando campaigned on increasing education funding and expanding affordable housing. At his Bethesda election-night gathering, the longtime at-large council member told supporters that the county would be “alright.” His victory follows a competitive Democratic primary in which he defeated council colleagues Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass.

The result gives Jawando an opportunity to pursue the priorities he put before voters. Advocates have their own list for the incoming executive, though the available account does not specify its contents. Gov. Wes Moore and outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich endorsed Jawando.

Democrats also swept the seven district council contests and secured four at-large seats. The next council will include eight women, a record for the county. Elrich, unable to seek a third executive term after voters imposed a two-term limit in 2024, won an at-large council seat. The new council is due to take office in December.

Democrats Extend Their Dominance in Montgomery County

Montgomery County’s election delivered another overwhelming win for Democrats: Will Jawando defeated Republican Esther Wells on Nov. 3, with early returns showing him at about 82%. The Associated Press announced the outcome shortly after midnight on Nov. 4.

Jawando’s victory came in a county where Democrats also won all seven district council races. Five Democratic council incumbents held their seats, and Democrats took the four at-large positions. The results leave Republicans without a district seat on the incoming council, while the county’s new legislative body will have eight women, the most in its history.

Jawando, a Democratic at-large council member, campaigned on raising education funding and increasing affordable housing. He beat fellow council members Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass in the June primary before facing Wells in the general election. Gov. Wes Moore and outgoing Executive Marc Elrich backed him.

Elrich is returning to the council after voters approved a two-term limit for county executives in 2024, ending his path to a third term in that office. Jawando takes over with advocates pressing priorities for his administration, although their specific requests were not detailed in the available account. The new council is set to begin work in December.