By Adam Pagnucco.
Three candidates for state and county office in Montgomery County are seeking the endorsement of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). They are incumbent District 39 Delegate Gabe Acevero, District 3 County Council candidate Izola Shaw and Council At-Large candidate Josie Caballero.
Here are a few of their answers to DSA’s questions in its questionnaires. Those answers can be seen at the hyperlinks above, which were recently published by DSA.
Why are you soliciting Metro DC DSA’s endorsement for this office?
Acevero: I’m a Democratic Socialist and a proud member of MoCo/Metro DC DSA.
Caballero: I have been engaged in progressive politics since 2011, attending the Occupy protest back when I attended community college in San Diego. I also led San Diego’s first Bernie march in 2015, with over 3,000 people in attendance. During that time, I was part of the DSA in San Diego, and had been since 2014, when our meetings were held in a small living room with only five members. I was proud to secure the DSA endorsement when I ran for San Diego City Council in 2016, before I chose to move to Montgomery County. Simply put, I’m asking for the DSA’s endorsement because I am a proud Democratic Socialist and believe that Socialism is as American as apple pie, and so am I.
Shaw: I’m seeking DSA’s endorsement because I believe real change happens when working people come together to build a coalition rooted in people power. I want to help realize a shared vision of government that truly works for us—one that listens, supports, and prioritizes the needs of our community, not just the well-connected. With the strength of a grassroots movement, we can make Montgomery County a place where everyone has the opportunity and support to thrive.
Are you a member of DSA? If not, would you join? Why or why not?
Acevero: YES
Caballero: Yes, I am a proud member and past organizer.
Shaw: I’ve seen the amazing organizing work of DSA throughout my community, among tenants, and my previous workplace, where many union leaders were also DSA members. I plan to join.
Are you willing to run publicly as a democratic socialist?
Acevero: YES
Caballero: Yes, and I have before.
Shaw: Yes
Will you be willing to run with other DSA-endorsed candidates as a slate?
Acevero: YES
Caballero: Yes
Shaw: Yes
Are you open to working with DSA when developing your platform?
Acevero: YES
Caballero: Yes
Shaw: Yes
Will you allow DSA to keep copies of all data we collect through voter contact, if legal in your jurisdiction?
Acevero: YES
Caballero: Yes
Shaw: Yes
Would you be open to having DSA members as staff in policy positions and/or to collaborating with our working groups on policy? Will you actively try to hire at least one DSA member on your staff?
Acevero: YES (to both)
Caballero: Legally, I can’t make this promise. But I will promise to conduct a fair and equal hiring process, ensuring all applicants, including those with a DSA, have a fair chance. I will always welcome collaboration on policy, and hope to do so with members of the DSA, unions, and other community groups.
Shaw: I’m absolutely open to having DSA members on my staff and collaborating with DSA working groups on policy. What matters most to me is building a team that truly shares my values and is equipped to serve our community’s needs. I want staff who are committed to equity and justice, and if DSA members bring that passion and perspective, as well as the skills needed for the job—I would be glad to have them on board.
*****
Here are a few other comments from the candidates.
Shaw wrote, “I see my campaign as a way to bring more people into the movement for democratic socialism across DC, Maryland, and Virginia by connecting local struggles—like housing justice and workers’ rights—to broader regional fights.”
In response to a question on whether she supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, Caballero wrote, “Yes, BDS is freedom of speech and freedom of association. I support nonviolent actions for the community to put pressure on the violent actors who refuse to follow international law.” Acevero and Shaw did not state that they supported BDS.
Acevero and Caballero pledged to support legislation providing for “Investigations and accountability for war crimes perpetrated by the state of Israel.” Shaw did not make that pledge.
Caballero wrote, “I believe in… The elimination of private health insurance.”
Acevero and Caballero support removing police officers from schools. Shaw did not state her support for that policy.
All three candidates support “removing traffic enforcement from police to other government agencies, like the Department of Transportation.”
Caballero supports, “Being aggressive against ICE and ordering police to start enforcing the law against ICE agents, unmasking, and requiring the showing of a warrant before abduction and detention.”
All three candidates support “classifying and publicly announcing your jurisdiction as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants.”
All three candidates support “the unconditional abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).”
All three candidates support “prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE or participating in deportation activities.”
These are Caballero’s top three priorities.
*****
I’ll champion a County Charter Amendment that creates a guaranteed lock in the MCPS operating budget at 47.5% of the County’s operating budget. This stable funding will allow for more investment in dated and delayed infrastructure repairs, hiring, training, community school programs, and quality of education improvement for our students.
I’ll fight for rent stabilization at 3% with no loopholes – including a ban on rent banking and a new building exemption. This will create more affordable housing for the people in MoCo who need it the most, and ensure people can live where they work.
I’ll do everything in my power to stop ICE in MoCo. That starts with no voluntary ICE cooperation by local law enforcement, and robust confidentiality laws on the books to protect all members of our community. At the same time, I will partner with local unions such as UFCW MCGEO Local 1994 and IAFF Local 1664 to invest in inclusive, multilingual know-your-rights resources and training to protect our immigrant and migrant worker populations in case of ICE raids.
*****
Shaw pledged to not “take any campaign contributions from real estate developers, corporate lobbyists, and landlords.” Shaw has been a landlord who was sued by tenants complaining about gutter and wall damage, roof leaks, birds in the attic, front step issues, water in the basement, mold and asbestos tiles. Adherence to this pledge may preclude self-funding.