Will Jawando

Frustrations over proposed data center developments in Maryland counties led to the defeat of local politicians in recent primary elections. Environmental advocates highlight growing bipartisan opposition to data centers due to concerns about electricity and water use, pollution, and environmental degradation.

The Montgomery County, Maryland, Board of Elections certified June 23 primary results after verifying mail-in ballots. Will Jawando secured the Democratic nomination for county executive with 40% of the vote, defeating Andrew Friedson, who conceded after receiving 34%. Jawando will face Republican Esther Wells in November. Four Democrats and one Republican advanced in the at-large council race, with a narrow margin between fourth-place Karla Silvestre and fifth-place Fatmata Barrie.

Will Jawando and Esther Wells are set to compete in the November Montgomery County executive race after securing their respective party nominations. Jawando won the Democratic primary following Andrew Friedson's concession, while Wells is the Republican nominee. Both candidates are focusing on building coalitions and addressing voter concerns ahead of the general election.

Will Jawando leads with 40% of the vote in Montgomery County's Democratic primary for county executive, declaring himself the winner. Andrew Friedson, with 34%, acknowledges a challenging path to closing the gap. Unofficial results remain pending further ballot counting.

The Maryland primary election features competitive races for Montgomery County executive and Prince George’s County state’s attorney. Three Democratic candidates for Prince George’s state’s attorney emphasize public safety, juvenile crime, and domestic violence, while three Montgomery County Council members vie for county executive, focusing on budget shortfalls and property tax proposals.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced a six-month moratorium on data center permits to establish specific regulations before processing applications. The pause is not a ban and aims to address community concerns through proposed zoning amendments. Council members, including Will Jawando and Kristin Mink, supported the move to refine rules, while Atmosphere Data Centers is involved in a data center project under review.

County executive candidates for Montgomery County participated in a forum discussing issues like small business support, data centers, and public safety. Candidates from both Democratic and Republican parties outlined their plans, including reducing regulatory barriers, addressing mental health, and proposing environmental initiatives.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed four bills aimed at protecting the county's immigrant population by restricting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. The legislation includes measures like prohibiting county-owned properties from being used for ICE staging, banning masks during law enforcement duties, and blocking permits for immigration detention facilities.