Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando suffered a heart attack Saturday during his regular pickup basketball game, according to his office, and doctors placed a stent in his heart after he was rushed to a Washington, D.C. hospital. The 43-year-old Democratic nominee for county executive is expected to make a full recovery and could be discharged as soon as this week.
Rushed to Care During a Weekend Game
Jawando's office said he was immediately taken to The George Washington University Hospital after the heart attack struck during his regular pickup game in Montgomery County on Saturday, September 5. He has been resting at the hospital since, and his office says he is expected to make a full recovery, according to NBC4 Washington. In a post on his X account, Jawando said he is still working and following his doctor's guidance during recovery.
Council President Natali Fani-González said Jawando's office remains operational while the councilmember adjusts his in-person appearances, and Jawando plans to recover at home. Per the same account, Jawando is expected to be discharged Wednesday or Thursday and intends to address the media once he's released. He is expected to have a lighter schedule in the coming weeks but plans to return to the community when doctors say he is ready.
Campaign Plans Shift During Recovery
Jawando's campaign has a September 10 event in Olney, where staff and guests will handle it while he rests, according to the same NBC4 Washington report. His office said Jawando and his family are grateful to friends who acted quickly and to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital who cared for him.
Outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich, whom Jawando hopes to succeed, said he was relieved that Jawando received immediate care and was doing well, and he wished him a full and speedy recovery. Stent placement typically requires patients to follow strict antiplatelet therapy regimens, such as aspirin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A Frontrunner at a Pivotal Campaign Moment
The health scare arrives during Maryland's general-election campaign, at a moment when Jawando is the Democratic nominee seeking to succeed the term-limited Elrich. He claimed victory in the Democratic primary for Montgomery County executive on June 26 at the Silver Spring Civic Building, where he was pictured giving an interview to The Washington Post after the win.
Jawando won the party's nomination with 40.15% of the vote — 52,738 ballots — in a five-way field, according to WUSA9. His primary campaign leaned on the county's public campaign financing system, built on small-dollar resident donations.
Jawando will face Republican nominee Esther Wells in the November 3 general election. The seat is open because Elrich was barred from seeking a third term after county voters approved a term-limit referendum in 2024, as Hoodline previously reported during the competitive primary between Jawando, Andrew Friedson, and Evan Glass.
A Council Veteran With Deep Policy Roots
Jawando has served on the Montgomery County Council. Before local office, he worked in public service.
Jawando has also been active in politics beyond Montgomery County. Earlier this year, he was involved in county policy discussions.
Montgomery County remains Maryland's most populous jurisdiction, with more than 1.07 million residents and over 701,000 registered voters, including more than 404,000 registered Democrats, per the Maryland Daily Record. That deep Democratic edge is part of the political backdrop as Jawando focuses on both his recovery and the campaign ahead.
