Rockville, MD 20850
Dear Council President Fani-González:
The Montgomery County Republican Party requests expedited consideration of an amendment to Montgomery County Code, Chapter 16, Article IV (“Public Election Fund”), requiring candidates who receive public campaign funds to participate in at least one moderated public debate for each contested primary and general election. Participation in a primary-election debate would not satisfy the requirement for the general election. This request follows Democratic County Executive nominee Will Jawando’s refusal to debate Republican nominee Esther Wells. Taxpayers who help finance a campaign deserve an opportunity to hear candidates answer questions together and defend their positions.
There is established precedent in Democratic strongholds, including New York City and Los Angeles. New York City Administrative Code § 3-709.5 requires qualifying candidates participating in its public financing program to attend official debates. In 2025, publicly financed Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani debated Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo in the general election.
Los Angeles Municipal Code § 49.7.23(C)(6) requires candidates seeking public matching funds to debate an opponent or, if no opponent agrees, conduct a public town hall. In 2022, Karen Bass received public matching funds and debated Rick Caruso before the general election. Montgomery County taxpayers deserve the same opportunity to assess the candidates whose campaigns they help finance.
Therefore, we ask the Council to act with urgency in amending Chapter 16, Article IV to:
- Require publicly financed candidates to participate in at least one moderated public debate with their ballot opponents for each contested primary and general election, with a separate debate obligation for each.
- Provide a moderated public town hall alternative when no opponent agrees to debate, with advance notice, press access, livestreaming, and a recording.
- Establish enforceable consequences for noncompliance, including withholding further public funds and requiring repayment where legally permissible, with a hearing and limited exceptions for circumstances beyond a candidate’s control.
We also request an immediate County Attorney opinion on whether these requirements can lawfully apply to remaining 2026 general-election disbursements, and prompt publication of current funding totals by the Department of Finance.
With voting underway, this issue warrants immediate attention. Regardless of the legislative timetable, we urge Councilmember Jawando to agree to debate Esther Wells before Election Day. Public financing should carry a clear obligation to public accountability. This requirement should apply equally to every participating candidate, regardless of party and should apply to both the primary and general elections.
Respectfully,
Dennis Melby
Chairman, Montgomery County Republican Party
By Authority: Montgomery County Republican Party, Brigitta Mullican, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
cc:
Natali Fani-González, President, D6, [email protected]
Marilyn Balcolme, Vice President, D2, [email protected]
Shebra Evans, At-Large, [email protected]
Andrew Friedson, D1, [email protected]
Evan Glass, At-Large, [email protected]
Will Jawando, At-Large, [email protected]
Sidney Katz, D3, [email protected]
Dawn Luedtke, D7, [email protected]
Kristin Mink, D5, [email protected]
Laurie-Anne Sayles, At-Large, [email protected]
Kate Stewart, D4, [email protected]
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Sara R. Tenenbaum, Clerk of the Council, [email protected]
John P Markovs, Esq. County Attorney, [email protected]
101 Monroe St., 3rd Fl. Rockville, MD, 20850
Michael J. Coveyou, Finance Director, [email protected]
101 Monroe St., 15th Fl. Rockville, MD, 20850