Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando ended his bid to replace Sen. Ben Cardin, admitting that he didn’t see a clear path to victory.
“I frankly no longer see a path for myself to victory,” he wrote in a statement sent to MCM. However, he wrote, “This is not the end – it is only the beginning.” Jawando vowed to continue fighting for the progressive issues he believes in.
Jawando, an at-large member of council, declared his bid for the U.S. Senate in May.
There’s a Big Lie in America — and it’s not about the 2020 election. It’s the idea that for some to get ahead, others have to be left behind.
Today, I’m launching a campaign for U.S. Senate because we need more progressive champions to squash the Big Lie and fight for you. pic.twitter.com/hVd5LgB6ub
— Will Jawando (@willjawando) May 2, 2023
He did not throw his support behind any of the other Democratic candidates. They are Rep. David Trone (D-6), Prince George’s Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Jerome Segal.
“We are living through such uncertain times. War is raging in the Middle East and Ukraine. Everyday Americans are not sure whether they can afford to keep a roof over their head or food on the table,” he wrote in his statement.
“Our Congress is meeting crisis with chaos and paralyzed by far-right extremists. MAGA Republicans keep trying to elevate hard right election deniers to Speaker all while marching lockstep behind Donald Trump, a man who is running for president on a platform of
revenge in a party that welcomes that with open arms,” he wrote.
Jawando still believes he could be a strong Democratic voice in the U.S. Senate. “However, after a lot of thought and prayer and late nights with my wife Michele, I’ve decided that it’s time to take a step back from the race. Not because we believe any less in the cause that started it,” he wrote.
He explained he chose to drop out of respect to his supporters, constituents and family. He thanked his supporters, both those who campaigned for him and those who contributed to his campaign.
“I am sorry for those who will find this news disappointing – believe me, I am also disappointed. But I am not going anywhere! I will continue serving the people of Maryland no matter what,” he declared.
Declaring he was proud of the campaign he ran, he described it as one of building a shared prosperity that lifts all.
“We’ve championed bold ideas – enacting Universal Basic Income, raising the minimum wage, creating Medicare for All,
reforming the criminal justice system – and so many others,” he noted in his statement.
An important announcement about my U.S. Senate campaign. pic.twitter.com/UPZMD2JZdE
— Will Jawando (@willjawando) October 20, 2023
