County Exec Election: Distinguishing the Candidates
The Montgomery County Executive election doesn't happen for another 500 days, but the race is on! Three current County Council members—Will Jawando, Andrew Friedson and Evan Glass—have launched campaigns and no other viable candidates are expected.
They will spend the next 14 months distinguishing themselves from one another, and it won't be easy. Young progressive Democrats elected to the Council in 2018 and now term-limited, they will all be in their 40s on election day. They all claim success on economic development and affordability programs, housing-related initiatives, and efforts related to transparency and accountability.
With so much in common, voters have to dig deep to find what distinguishes the candidates. The Montgonion examined their leadership skills in three key areas: transformative skills, adaptability to change, and pillow-talk support. Let's see how they compare.
Transformative Skills
In a county with explosive growth, evolving demographics and ever-changing needs, the ability to transform the landscape and adapt to the times is key.
His curly locks and boyish charm have won people over since his days at CNN, but other than a receding hairline (more on that later) the last time Glass had a major transformation was his Bar Mitzvah.
Friedson pulled off the biggest transformation in county political history, going from stout and doughy to svelte and buff—seemingly overnight. In a normal race that would be enough to put him on top. This is not a normal race.
When it comes to transformation, Jawando is the Optimus Prime of local politicians. He can channel his inner Spike Lee at a morning rally and morph into an Obama-inspired clean-cut orator at an afternoon Town Hall three hours later.
Advantage: Jawando
Adaptability to Change
Transformation occurs over time. Change can happen in a blink. Our candidates learned that the hard way during Covid-19. Making the most of change, finding opportunities and advantages in the face of adversity, is our next test.
As shown in the previous pictures, as Glass's hairline has receded, he's held on to the close-cropped, curly bangs, Welcome Back Kotter style of his youth. Friedson’s got style but is indecisive in the face of a classic midlife dilemma—shave the scraggly vestigial widow's peak or try to grow and blend it. Jawando has learned to embrace his ever-expanding forehead and pulls off a taper or a fade with style.
Advantage: Jawando
Pillow-Talk Support
Throughout history, political spouses have wielded significant power behind the scenes, forging formidable roles as partners and allies. Their influence on decisions and policies cannot be understated. Let's see which candidate's Pillow-Talk Support will take them furthest.
Michele Jawando, a prominent attorney and public policy expert, is President of the Omidyar Network. She was the U.S. Head of Strategic Engagement and Public Policy Partnerships at Google, Vice President at the Center for American Progress, and General Counsel and Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She is a regular commentator on law, technology policy, and social impact across various media outlets.
Jason Glass, an adult education and horticulture expert at Montgomery Parks, is always at his spouse's side. It's not just his calm demeanor that gives Evan a boost—Scott has a master’s in public policy from American University. He is a savvy judge of public opinion who helped his spouse earn the most votes in the highly competitive 2022 eight-way Democratic primary for four at-large council seats.
Demi Friedson is a sales director for a popular restaurant technology company. Her father, Rick Zitelman, a native Washingtonian, is the founder and president of Zitelman Partners, a firm he established to source and oversee investment opportunities, actively investing in private entities since 1980. A graduate of the Wharton School and holding credentials as both a CPA and CVA, he also founded Valuation Service Inc. and Shelyn Securities Co., and has served on the boards of numerous Zitelman Partners' portfolio companies. He is involved in philanthropic work, notably through the P. Richard & Cindy Kramer Zitelman Family Foundation Inc. and by sponsoring events for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.
Advantage: Friedson
