From campus activism to county leadership: the political arc of Will Jawando

Countries & Cities · Published 16 October 2026 · Updated 22 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Will Jawando’s political journey began with a campus standoff over an NAACP chapter. Today, as a prominent Montgomery County official, he navigates the complexities of housing, police reform, and economic justice. His career reflects a persistent effort to translate grassroots activism into legislative policy.

Jawando’s political identity is rooted in student activism at the Catholic University of America. There, he fought to establish a campus NAACP chapter, a move initially resisted by the university due to the organization's stance on abortion. The chapter was eventually formed following national pressure from Kweisi Mfume, then-president of the NAACP. This early experience shaped a career defined by progressive advocacy, leading him to serve as an intern for high-profile figures including Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama before entering public office. His legislative record in Montgomery County highlights a focus on systemic equity and tenant protections. Jawando has been a vocal proponent of the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which prohibits rent increases during public health emergencies, and he successfully pushed for a bill capping annual rent increases at six percent.

He also championed a Guaranteed Income Pilot Program in 2021, designed to provide $800 monthly to 300 targeted families for two years. His work often balances these social safety nets with economic development, such as supporting funding for the county's life sciences industry. On the issue of public safety, Jawando has navigated the 'defund' debate by clarifying that he does not support defunding the police, but rather advocates for oversight and reform. He introduced the Law Enforcement Trust and Transparency Act in 2019, which requires investigations into officer-involved deaths, and successfully campaigned for a bill in 2020 that banned neck restraints and restricted no-knock warrants. His leadership also extends to education, where he chaired the Education & Culture committee, overseeing matters for the county's public schools and libraries.

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