Montgomery Council member Jawando recovering from heart attack

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando, the Democratic nominee for county executive, is recovering from a heart attack that he suffered during a basketball game over the weekend, his office reported Monday.

According to the statement, Jawando was playing a regular weekend pickup basketball game on Saturday morning when he experienced the heart attack. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital, “where doctors successfully placed a stent. His doctors are confident in his full recovery given his strong overall health.”

Jawando, 43, was reported to be resting comfortably at the hospital Monday, with doctors expected to discharge him later this week to recover at home. Jawando has been directed by his doctor to adjust his office activities in the coming weeks to allow for his recuperation, but his office will remain open to deal with constituent needs, the statement said.

“Councilmember Jawando and his family are grateful to God for the friends who acted quickly and to the exceptional doctors, nurses, and staff at The George Washington University Hospital. They are deeply thankful for the outpouring of support and prayers from neighbors, colleagues, and supporters from across the county and state,” the statement said.

Jawando, a native of Silver Spring, was first elected to an at-large seat on the county council in 2018 and reelected in 2022. He dropped a 2024 bid for U.S. Senate that was won by Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). He ran for county executive this year, winning 40% of the Democratic primary vote in June to beat fellow council members Andrew Friedson (1st District) who took 34% of the vote and Evan Glass (At-large) who finished with 22% of the primary vote.

He faces Republican Esther Wells in the Nov. 3 general election, when Jawando is favored in the heavily Democratic county.