Will Jawando Recognized As One Of Nation's Rising Leaders

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando was selected to join a network of state and local elected officials working to enact pro-growth progressive solutions.

The group, called the NewDEAL, stands for Developing Exceptional American Leaders and is led by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and former Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D). Jawando was one of 20 leaders across the country to be tapped into the progressive 150-plus-person network.

Jawando and the rest of the incoming freshman class — which includes Maryland state Sen. Will Smith, Jr. — were recognized for their commitment to rebuilding the Democratic Party and expanding economic opportunities for all, according to the NewDEAL.

"While much of the political world is focused on the balance of power in D.C., we must also remember the tremendous impact that innovative state and local officials have on enacting policies that meet the demands of a changing world and expand opportunity for all," Warner and Markell, honorary co-chairs of the NewDEAL, said in a joint statement. "Supporting the rising leaders in the NewDEAL has never been more important. We look forward to promoting the work of Councilmember Jawando and giving him the opportunity to learn from other leaders as he joins a network with a proven track record of governing successfully in diverse communities."

Before taking office in 2018, Jawando led educational outreach efforts for the Office of Public Engagement under former president Barack Obama. According to the White House, Jawando also served as Director of Boards and Commissions at the U.S. Department of Education, where he was responsible for more than 20 advisory boards that advised the secretary on policy issues. Prior to the Department of Education, the Democrat worked for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

As a NewDEAL leader, Jawando will help develop and push progressive policies to encourage economic growth that is sustainable and attainable to all, officials said.

"I'm excited to be a part of this new class of amazing leaders and to work with them and NewDEAL to expand opportunity in communities nationwide," said Jawando.

Jawando is one of 20 officials to join the NewDEAL. They are:

• Monte Hodges, State Representative, Blytheville, AR
• Josh Fryday, City Councilmember, Novato, CA
• Annette Taddeo, State Senator, Miami, FL
• Jen Auer Jordan, State Senator, Atlanta, GA
• Zach Wahls, State Senator, Coralville, IA
• Stacey Walker, Linn County Supervisor, Linn County, IA
• Ryan Fecteau, State Representative/Assistant Majority Leader, Biddeford, ME
• Will Jawando, Council Member at Large, Montgomery County, MD
• Will C. Smith, Jr., State Senator, Silver Spring, MD
• Darrin Camilleri, State Representative, Brownstown, MI
• Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, MI
• Donna Lasinski, State Representative, Washtenaw County, MI
• Anna Wishart, State Senator, Lincoln, NE
• Jon Morgan, State Senator, Brentwood, NH
• Erika Strassburger, City Councilmember, Pittsburgh, PA
• Erin Healy, State Representative, Sioux Falls, SD
• Devan Allen, County Commissioner, Tarrant County, TX
• Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, City Councilmember, Alexandria, VA
• Eric Pettigrew, State Representative, Seattle, WA
• Kristine Reeves, State Representative, Federal Way, WA