People For the American Way Action Fund has announced an endorsement of William Jawando’s candidacy for Maryland District 20 Delegate as part of PFAW’s Young Elected Progressives program.

Jawando, age 31, is one of eight primary candidates for the three delegate seats, including incumbent Sheila Hixson. He grew up in the Long Branch community of Silver Spring, and currently resides in White Oak with his wife and three daughters. A former White House and Congressional staffer, he currently serves on the Montgomery County Public School’s African American Student Achievement Action Group. He also has served on the Montgomery County Commission on Juvenile Justice, the Montgomery County Nighttime Economy Taskforce, and the Montgomery County African Advisory Group.

“Will Jawando is a committed progressive leader who stands for fairness, equality, and justice for all,” said PFAW Political Director Randy Borntrager. “He will be a strong progressive voice in Annapolis.”

While serving on Capitol Hill in the offices of House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Sherrod Brown, and then-Senator Barack Obama, Jawando crafted and negotiated legislation to expand early childhood education programs and make college more accessible and affordable. As an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement he worked on pay equity legislation, voting rights, and justice policy. He then served as deputy director of strategic partnerships at the US Department of Education.

Previously, as director of government relations at Discovery Communications, he organized advocacy efforts among government and non-government stakeholders, national and local nonprofits, and advocacy groups. Notable achievements included a Montgomery County program to bridge digital divides in its communities and encourage more young people to study science, technology, engineering, and math. He currently is of counsel at The Raben Group, a public policy advocacy firm.

Will Jawando’s positions on women’s health, comprehensive immigration reform, public education funding, equality for all Americans, money in politics – as well as his expressed positions on a range of other issues – distinguish him as a standout young progressive candidate for Maryland District 20 Delegate.

His campaign website is http://www.jawandofordelegate.com.

###