Councilmember Will Jawando, the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County Executive, said he will not participate in a debate with his opponent before Election Day, according to a Monday statement from Nicole Rios, his campaign manager. Jawando suffered a heart attack on Sept. 5.
Jawando faces Esther Wells, the Republican nominee, in the Nov. 3 election. Wells challenged Jawando to a debate on Aug. 29.
Jawando has engaged in just over 100 meet-and-greets and more than 45 candidate forums, debates and town halls since announcing his run last year, according to Rios.
“Voters have had repeated opportunities to evaluate records and compare his vision directly with his general election opponent, Esther Wells, who also participated in many of these candidate forums and debates,” Rios stated. “With that extensive record of public engagement, our campaign will not participate in any additional candidate forums before Election Day.”
The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Montgomery County and several other community groups were in the planning phases of organizing a debate between Jawando and Wells in October to be held at MCM’s Rockville studio. MCM was notified that the debate was canceled on Sept. 15.
“Our sustained community engagement delivered decisive results in the June primary. Will earned 52,744 votes out of more than 131,000 cast, building the broadest coalition of any candidate this cycle. By contrast, Wells won her primary with 6,850 votes out of just 11,273 cast,” Rios stated.
After suffering a heart attack, Jawando is “recovering well” and will return to public campaign events soon, Rios stated.
Read the full statement Jawando’s campaign manager below:
Throughout this campaign, our priority has been showing up and meeting Montgomery County voters where they are. Since announcing his run for Montgomery County Executive in May 2025, Will has participated in 102 meet-and-greets, as well as more than 45 candidate forums, debates, and town halls across the county. In a crowded field of candidates, he fielded questions and outlined his agenda on core priorities like housing affordability, transit, education, public safety, and data centers. Voters have had repeated opportunities to evaluate records and compare his vision directly with his general election opponent, Esther Wells, who also participated in many of these candidate forums and debates. With that extensive record of public engagement, our campaign will not participate in any additional candidate forums before Election Day.
Our sustained community engagement delivered decisive results in the June primary. Will earned 52,744 votes out of more than 131,000 cast, building the broadest coalition of any candidate this cycle. By contrast, Esther Wells won her primary with 6,850 votes out of just 11,273 cast.
We are grateful to share that Will is recovering well from his recent heart attack and will return to the campaign trail very soon. His dedication to Montgomery County remains steadfast, and his focus is fixed on our community’s future.
This campaign is powered by a vision of a Montgomery County where every resident is seen, heard, and valued. We believe the best leadership is built through direct, everyday dialogue with voters. As Election Day approaches, our priority is to continue uniting our neighborhoods, listening to the priorities directly from our working families, and earning the trust of voters across every part of this county.
Wells called for a debate in August:
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MCM interviewed both Jawando and Wells in July:
