More than $1 million separates Andrew Friedson from his two closest opponents in the race for Montgomery County executive, according to the latest round of campaign finance reports, which were due Tuesday.

Councilmen Will Jawando and Evan Glass are relying on the county’s public financing program and cannot accept donations exceeding $500.

  • Friedson had raised $2.2 million as of May 12, the latest date his report covers.
  • Jawando had raised more than $1.1 million, including nearly $796,000 in matching funds, according to his campaign.
  • Glass had raised $967,000, including nearly $613,000 in matching funds, with nearly $133,000 on the way, according to his campaign.

Friedson has also spent over $2 million, more than any other candidate running for local office in Maryland. Among state and local candidates statewide, only Gov. Wes Moore has shelled out more money, according to the State Board of Elections’ analysis of its data.

Nearly half of Friedson’s spending was for television advertising that will air in the coming weeks.

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“We know that our message resonates more than any other campaign, and we know that, if we can get in front of every voter in Montgomery County, that we’re going to be in a position to win,” Friedson said in an interview Wednesday.

Montgomery County’s executive race has more firepower than similar races in Maryland’s other jurisdictions. Half of the state’s six top-fundraising county executive candidates are running in Montgomery County.

Friedson said his campaign has received about 2,200 contributions. About 45 donors have contributed the legal maximum, $6,000. That group includes real estate firms and other private companies, political action committees and individuals.

With less than five weeks until the primary election, Friedson has about $756,000 in cash on hand.

Public financing

Montgomery is one of six jurisdictions where local candidates can qualify for government funding to match contributions and help cover their campaign expenses.

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Candidates relying on public financing cannot accept contributions from political action committees, LLCs, businesses or large-money donors. In Montgomery County, donations to their campaigns cannot exceed $500, and candidates using public financing can claim up to $870,000 in matching funds in an election cycle.

Jawando has spent $407,000 and has about $728,000 in cash on hand, including incoming matching funds, for the lead-up to the June 23 primary.

“Today’s filing shows what a real grassroots Democratic campaign looks like: 1,800 Montgomery County neighbors, giving what they can, because they believe in what we’re building together,” Jawando said in a news release.

Jawando’s team also noted in the news release that some of those giving to Friedson also contributed to a political action committee, the Affordable Maryland PAC. The PAC receives funding from prominent development companies and has run ads critical of Jawando.

The two candidates represent opposite sides of a debate in the county over capping rent increases. Jawando has championed the county’s 2023 rent stabilization law, while Friedson has opposed it and has said on the campaign trail that he’d push to tweak the law.

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Glass has spent $186,000 and has nearly $649,000 cash on hand, according to his campaign.

“Money can’t buy this kind of grassroots momentum,” Glass said in a news release. “With 95% of our contributions coming from Montgomery County residents, this campaign is powered by people — not special interests."