As Republicans work to remove power from Black leaders nationwide, several local candidates are stepping up to serve in county executive roles across Maryland.
While Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy officially started her role less than three months ago, on Juneteenth, candidates in counties such as Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Baltimore are vying to lead their locales.
In the Montgomery County race, County Council member Will Jawando (D-At Large) has been endorsed by term-limited former County Executive Marc Elrich (D), as well as his fellow Council members Laurie Anne Sayles (D-At Large) and Kristin Mink (D-District 5). Braveboy also endorsed Jawando during his campaign launch.
Jawando, deemed a potential front-runner by Montgomery Perspective, led at-large candidates in vote share in the 25 precincts with the most Black voters and has historically received endorsements from unions and progressive advocacy organizations. He has already been endorsed by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), a labor union representing construction and sanitary workers.
“This is how democracy should work — transparent, accountable, and rooted in the values of the people it serves. We’re proud to run a campaign that reflects the integrity, diversity, and determination of our community,” Jawando said in a press release shortly after filing for the office on Aug. 19.
Anne Arundel County Council member Pete Smith (D) has been endorsed by Sen. Shaneka Henson (D), the first Black woman to represent Anne Arundel County in the Maryland Senate.
“I’m proud to support Pete Smith for Anne Arundel County Executive. As a U.S. Marine and county councilman, he leads with courage, integrity, and heart. Pete’s shown he’ll defend our values, unite our communities and deliver real results,” Henson said in her endorsement. “He won’t just move Anne Arundel forward: he’ll move us forward, together.”
Baltimore County Council member Julian Jones, only the second African-American ever elected to the County Council, has announced his campaign for county executive to replace appointed County Executive Katherine Klausmeier, who has decided not to run.
“I feel really confident that I’m the right person for the job,” Jones told The Baltimore Banner in early August while announcing his candidacy. “I’ll stack my credentials up against almost anyone’s.”
South County Democratic Club President Courtney Finklea Green is excited to see the development of Black political power across Maryland’s suburban counties.
“The rise of Black candidates in executive races across Maryland’s largest counties signals more than representation. It’s a recalibration of power, policy, and priorities,” she told The Informer. “This moment holds the potential to shift how we govern, whose voices are centered and how equity is embedded in regional leadership. It’s not just about who’s on the ballot. It’s about building a bench of bold, visionary leaders ready to move Maryland forward.”