By Adam Pagnucco.
The State Board of Elections (SBE) has notified the county executive campaign of Council Member Will Jawando that it has received a complaint about his financial transactions with the Working Families Party and is requesting a “detailed written explanation.” Specifically, the issue relates to facts I reported in a May 27 article explaining that Jawando’s U.S. Senate campaign account had contributed $115,000 to the Working Families Party last year, and that the latter was now making independent expenditures on his behalf. The transactions raise questions about whether Jawando’s campaign is coordinating with an independent entity in violation of state election law.
Reprinted below are the text of SBE’s letter to the Jawando campaign along with images of the letter and supporting exhibits.
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June 04, 2026
Michelle Rush
Treasurer – Jawando Will for Montgomery County
Filing Entity ID: 15015450
14613 Carona Dr,
Silver Spring, MD 20905.
Dear Ms. Rush,
The State Board of Elections (SBE) has received a complaint against the above-mentioned committee. The complaint alleges that your federal senate campaign committee, Will Jawando for Maryland, transferred $115,000.00 to the Working Families Party PAC. Shortly after receiving these federal funds, the Working Families Party PAC reportedly spent $72,159.50 to support your public finance committee, Jawando, Will for Montgomery, for County Executive. (Please refer to Attachment A).
Pursuant to COMAR 33.13.10.04(B), a disbursement by an independent expenditure entity is legally deemed a “coordinated expenditure” if it involves any of the specific triggers detailed in the regulation, including acting in cooperation, consultation, or at the suggestion of a candidate or their agent.
Please note that under Maryland State Board of Elections guidelines and Md. Code Ann., Election Law Article § 13-226(b), candidate committees and related political entities are strictly prohibited from funding or making contributions over $6000.00 to Super PACs or any entities that exclusively make independent expenditures or electioneering communications. As outlined in SBE enforcement standards, such funding mechanisms are structurally treated as “coordination” under the law.
Accordingly, the State Board of Elections requests a detailed written explanation within 30 days of the date of this letter demonstrating why a violation of the Maryland Election Law Article and COMAR has not occurred or presenting any relevant facts in mitigation.
Please contact the Audit & Enforcement Unit at 410-269-2915 or at Samuel.abbe@maryland.gov upon receipt of this letter for any questions about this issue.
Sincerely,
Katherine Berry
Deputy State Administrator
cc: William Jawando, Candidate/Chairman, Jawando Will for Montgomery County
