Coalition highlights housing justice, people-powered organizing, and the urgent need to stand together against corporate Super PACs attempting to buy the election

SILVER SPRING, MD — Today [5/27], more than 50 community members, advocates, labor allies, and local organizations gathered at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring to call for a Montgomery County that puts working families first — not wealthy donors and corporate-backed Super PACs attempting to buy influence in the County Executive race.

Speakers from CASA in Action, Jews United for Justice, SEIU, the Montgomery County Education Association, and Progressive Maryland joined residents and working families to reject outside spending and uplift a shared vision for a county rooted in affordability, dignity, democracy, and people-powered leadership.

As outside groups flood the race with money and attack ads, community leaders drew a direct line between the powerful interests bankrolling these efforts and the rising housing costs and economic pressures pushing working families further out of Montgomery County.

“As someone born and raised in Montgomery County, there’s nothing more important to me than seeing my neighbors flourish under leadership that genuinely cares for us — not outside interests with ulterior motives, but community members who truly know and dedicate themselves to our neighborhoods,” said Tamara Zuniga, a member of Progressive Maryland.

“Montgomery County’s future should be decided by the people who live here — not corporate Super PACs, wealthy developers, or outside interests trying to buy influence in this election,” said Katherine Caceres, CASA in Action canvasser and Maryland resident. “As a CASA in Action canvasser, I talk to Montgomery County families every day who are worried about rent, rising costs, and whether they can afford to stay in the communities they helped build. What I hear at the doors is clear: residents want leaders who will fight for working families, immigrants, renters, and everyday people — not the powerful interests trying to drown out our voices.”

“The developer Super PAC attacking Will Jawando is being funded by some of the largest developers and out-of-state real estate interests in the country,” said Cheryl Gannon of Neighbors for Will. “These are the same wealthy interests tied to the rising affordability pressures families are already feeling across Montgomery County. People want communities they can afford to stay in, not politics dominated by massive outside spending.”

The press event centered on the urgent need to protect the voices of everyday residents — including immigrant families, workers, renters, educators, and community members — from corporate political influence. Speakers emphasized that Montgomery County’s future should be shaped by the people who live and work here, not by outside special interests attempting to drown out local voices.

Community members also highlighted the growing housing crisis and the need for leaders who will prioritize working families, protect immigrant communities, and fight for a more affordable Montgomery County.

The coalition made clear that residents are organizing, mobilizing, and speaking out to ensure Montgomery County remains a place where working families can live, thrive, and have a real voice in their democracy.

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