By Adam Pagnucco.
Part One explained how this survey was conducted. Parts Two and Three listed elected officials. Let’s continue today.
All comments are from my sources except for those specifically made by me.
8. Council Member Kate Stewart (20 votes)
If you want something to happen, she sits in the center of council, is smart, reasonable, honest, and influences colleagues. Also as council vice president likely first of the “new woman Councilmembers” to be council president. Works well with others and thoughtful.
The closest thing to a leader of the council’s left flank. Serious, studious, strategic and responsive to her constituents. Even those on the opposite end of the spectrum respect and trust her.
She hit the ground running and has effectively advocated for her district. I work with her on issues and her responsiveness is superb. Having been a Mayor, she has executive experience which is rare. Kate is also kind to her staff and constituents.
Kate is one of those rare councilmembers who has managed to actually make friends on the council, a feat that is typically impossible. Collaboration has been her super power. In her first year, she managed to snag a chair role, get in council leadership and is rumored as a county executive contender. Kate moves quietly but she is effective and is certainly one to watch.
The deal maker.
How many councilmembers are elected vice president halfway through their first term? She has a challenging district, tireless staff, and is arguably the council’s swing vote. More than once I’ve been told that something will not pass unless Kate Stewart supports it, and other councilmembers will follow suit.
Pagnucco: Let’s put this together. A prominent and respected female lawmaker who represents Takoma Park, Downtown Silver Spring, Kensington and North Bethesda and has one of the savviest political and policy operatives in Rockville (Cecily Thorne) as her chief of staff. How high up could Kate Stewart go? I’m betting it’s higher than a council district seat.
7. Council Member Will Jawando (22 votes)
Message gets out there but has had trouble delivering on items. He gets a lot of attention and plays the outside game. Doesn’t matter if not always authentic or honest, but drives discussion.
Still the most powerful voice in the progressive Montgomery County movement.
Love him or hate him, Councilman Jawando gets attention.
Jawando makes my list despite the fact that I think most of his initiatives are more about getting himself headlines than they are about good governance. However, his talent for self-promotion is formidable and not to be underestimated.
Has positioned himself well locally and nationally. Has been strategic in garnering visibility and is not slowing down.
Love him or hate him, his messaging bills spark countywide conversation — whether it’s about panty liners or raising property taxes, he knows how to get (media) attention.
The rising leader of local progressive politics in a way that’s more reflective of modern times and as a result generally more effective. Seems to understand the way to becoming influential is to have a name and brand as much, if not more than what the individual policies are. Rent stabilization doesn’t happen without him. There are also things that didn’t pan out, like ending traffic stops. But do those things not getting passed matter in a modern political sense? He built the case and that’s what builds the brand.
Pagnucco: The current leader of the county’s progressive left. Sure, my sources ding him for his showboating and increasing legislative ineffectiveness. But voters don’t care very much about that and Jawando knows how to get votes. He is also a good fundraiser, a great public speaker and has more charisma than Donald Trump has felony counts. Whether it’s county executive, Congress or some other office, whatever election comes our way, Jawando’s name is on the short list of top contenders.
6. Council Member Evan Glass (24 votes)
Very politically astute and was last council president.
#1 vote getter in the last election. Many eyes are on him as a top County Executive contender. Often referred to as the “watchdog,” Glass and Luedtke were the first to call for an independent investigation of MCPS — a move that shaped some of the biggest changes in recent MCPS history.
Plays the middle well and has good political instincts.
Got most votes of council members in recent election.
Played key role in holding MCPS accountable, eventually leading to Dr. McKnight’s exit.
Pagnucco: Glass’s 2022 primary victory measures up to some of the biggest county council wins going back more than 25 years. Glass’s role on the council reminds me of Ike Leggett’s position in the 1990s: the man in the middle, whose vote plays a key role in determining the council’s final product. His background in television journalism also gives him a big advantage in dealing with media. When he makes his next move, he will be on a very short list of top candidates.
More to come next!