By Adam Pagnucco.
A coalition of developers, builders and other real estate interests has assembled $1.2 million in a Super PAC to play in this year’s elections. So far, the Super PAC has spent almost $232,000 on a negative TV buy against Council Member Will Jawando, who is running for executive. That leaves the Super PAC with more than $940,000 awaiting disbursement.
The Super PAC in question is the Affordable Maryland PAC. It was started in June 2022 and ran negative TV ads against County Executive Marc Elrich, who was running for reelection. (Disclosure: I was the strategist for one of his opponents, David Blair.) The cost of the Super PAC’s $1.06 million in spending was split between Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and a coalition of local real estate industry figures. The Affordable Maryland PAC went on to endorse municipal candidates in Gaithersburg and Rockville in 2023.
This year, the Super PAC’s contributors are a who’s-who of the local real estate industry. Money has also poured in from real estate interests in D.C., Annapolis, Baltimore, Boston and even Chicago. Entities linked to Boston Properties, one of the nation’s largest real estate investment trusts, and Equity Residential, one of the nation’s largest apartment building owners, are among the Super PAC’s contributors. Last year, the CEO of Equity Residential publicly condemned MoCo’s rent control law. Let it be remembered that Jawando is one of that law’s most loyal supporters and has even told developers to stay out of the county.
Super PACs may raise unlimited money but are required to disclose their contributions and expenditures as well as the candidates they support and oppose. They are also prohibited from coordinating with candidates. In its new campaign finance report (available below), the Affordable Maryland PAC states that it has spent $231,950 on TV ads opposing Jawando. It has also conducted at least one poll. It has a remaining cash balance of $940,455.
An extract from the Super PAC’s report showing the negative TV buy against Jawando.
The Affordable Maryland PAC could spend all of its money opposing Jawando. It could also support one or more of his rivals and/or get involved in other races. But so far, the mission of the real estate industry is this: STOP JAWANDO.
The Super PAC’s 2026 Pre-Primary 1 Gubernatorial report can be downloaded at the link below.
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