Montgomery County, Maryland

Montgomery County Executive

2 candidates are tracked for Montgomery County Executive on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Will Jawando and Esther Wells. Candidate information follows official Montgomery County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Will Jawando (Democratic), Esther Wells (Republican) are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Montgomery County Executive, per the State Board of Elections' certified 2026 Gubernatorial General candidate list (updated September 7, 2026).

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Every voter in Montgomery County votes on this seat.

Maryland › Montgomery County › Montgomery County Executive

Will Jawando

Democratic

Top priorities

Pursuing a moratorium on new data centers in Montgomery County
Building affordable homes and protecting renters from displacement
Fully funding schools and expanding Pre-K access

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jawando is a civil rights lawyer and current Montgomery County Council member who grew up in the county, per the campaign site. Jawando worked in the Obama White House earlier in Jawando's career and is a public school parent, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Esther Wells

Republican

Top priorities

Fiscal discipline, including auditing the county budget to reduce costs
Economic development, including broadening the tax base
Public safety, including fully staffing police departments

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Wells is a Certified Public Accountant with a master's degree in taxation, per her campaign site. She is a mother of two, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotMontgomery County Council At Large

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Montgomery County Executive in 2026?

When is the Montgomery County Executive election in Maryland?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Maryland are on the Maryland election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Montgomery County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Montgomery County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Maryland election office, or see the full Montgomery County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Montgomery County ballot

36 tracked races in Montgomery County, Maryland. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Montgomery County Council, Councilmanic District 1 Montgomery County Council, Councilmanic District 2 Montgomery County Council, Councilmanic District 3 See all 36 Montgomery County races

Candidate profiles

Will Jawando, full profile Esther Wells, full profile Official Maryland election office