Andrew Friedson maintains a more than $1 million fundraising lead over his two main competitors in the Montgomery County executive race, who have reached the maximum public funding they can accept, according to the latest campaign finance reports. This reporting period ended Friday and is the last that candidates will file before the June 23 primary.

Will Jawando and Evan Glass are relying on the county’s public financing program. Both candidates recently announced that they have hit the maximum in matching funds: $870,000 in any election cycle.

Jawando hit his maximum on June 4. He has raised more than $1.2 million total in donations and public funding.

“This campaign is powered by thousands of neighbors, not developer checks,” Jawando said in a June 4 press release.

Advertise with us

Glass has raised more than $990,000 in total.

“While our opponents rely on wealthy donors, super PACs, and outside spending, we’re proving that a grassroots movement powered by teachers, nurses, small business owners, public employees, retirees, and working families is stronger than special interests and dark money,” Glass said in a June 7 press release.

Friedson leads the money race with $2.4 million.

“With almost 2,500 contributions and the backing of seven state senators, retired teachers, career and volunteer firefighters, Andrew is fueled by a broad coalition of support and heads into the final week of the campaign with the grassroots energy and resources to finish strong,” said Friedson Campaign Manager John Block.

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.

Advertise with us

County Executive Marc Elrich, who is term-limited, is in the last year of his second four-year term. Jawando, Glass and Friedson all serve on the council. In heavily Democratic Montgomery County, the winner of the June 23 primary will likely win in November’s general election.

Four others are also running for county executive: Democrat Mithun Banerjee, Democrat Peter James, Republican Shelly Skolnick and Republican Esther Wells. None have raised more than $8,000.

Key County Council races

While county executive candidates are pulling in significant sums, candidates in three key council races are also raising notable amounts.

Four at-large seats are up for grabs this year, as Glass, Jawando and temporary council member Shebra Evans vacate their seats. Seventeen candidates are vying for them.

Incumbent Laurie-Anne Sayles is the only at-large member seeking reelection to a second term.

Advertise with us

Democrat Scott Goldberg, who is running for an at-large council seat, tops the field with a total of $440,005 to date. Elrich follows him in at-large fundraising, at $265,257 to date. Also in the at-large race, current school board member Karla Silvestre has raised $245,526.

Among other at-large candidates:

  • Democrat Jeremiah Pope has raised $226,511
  • Democrat Josie Caballero has raised $162,949
  • Democrat Fatmata Barrie has raised $150,754
  • Democrat Prabu Selvam has raised $147,127
  • Democrat Lelia True has raised $125,179
  • Democrat Laurie-Anne Sayles has raised $115,807
  • Democrat Jim McNulty has raised $104,821
  • Democrat Steve Solomon has raised $86,836
  • Democrat Muhammad Arif Wali has raised $15,876
  • Democrat Radwan Chowdhury has raised $11,337
  • Republican Sherwin Wells has raised $8,213
  • Democrat Vicki Vergagni has raised $5,900
  • Democrat Matt Losak has raised $1,385;
  • Democrat Dana Gassaway has raised less than $1,000

The District 1 council race has also been among the more expensive races this year, with four candidates aiming to fill Friedson’s vacant seat. Current school board member Julie Yang tops the list at $308,682. Elrich staffer Debbie Spielberg follows with $245,526, and Democrat Drew Morrison has raised $174,781. Republican Reardon Sullivan has raised $37,271.

In District 3, three candidates hope to win Sidney Katz’s seat as he hits his two-term limit this year. Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman leads with $225,949, with Rockville City Council member Izola Shaw following with $164,558. Former federal worker and Democrat Allison Eriksen has raised $5,865.

This story has been updated to include a comment from Andrew Friedson’s campaign manager.