This is a resource not an endorsement. But here are some candidates worth looking at more closely.

D4 (Western County )

Congressional Representatives

Jakeya Johnson (Democrat)- Candidate, (website)

Endorsed by Track AIPAC for committing to NOT TAKING AIPAC funds.

Has said she would cosponsor the Block the Bombs bill as well as the Resolution Recognizing the Genocide of the Palestinian People in Gaza.

D6 (Northern County)

Ethan Wechtaluk (Democrat)- Candidate, (website)

When asked on a podcast (minute 19:27) about Israel’s assault on Gaza, he said “this is the easiest question that you are going to ask me. It is the literal definition of genocide. As far as AIPAC funding, I have been very clear. I don’t support Israel’s actions. If AIPAC gave me money, I would return to sender. ..You don’t kill journalists, health care workers, innocent people. That’s not defense. That is murder.”

Endorsed by Track AIPAC for committing to NOT TAKING AIPAC funds.

D8 (Most of County)

Stephen Allen Leon (Democrat)- Candidate, (Facebook)

Has said he would cosponsor the Block the Bombs bill as well as the Resolution Recognizing the Genocide of the Palestinian People in Gaza.

Boris Velasquez (Democrat)- Candidate

Has said he would cosponsor the Block the Bombs bill as well as the Resolution Recognizing the Genocide of the Palestinian People in Gaza.

With regard to AIPAC/Hindutva lobby: “I am refusing all campaign donations. I believe we do not need to wait for an overturn of Citizens United to remove the influence of money from politics. While it is an ambitious goal, I genuinely believe our district can set an example and spark this change.”

Andy Ellis (Green) - Candidate (website)

Lieutenant Governor (Owen Silverman Andrews) is a long time activist for Palestinian Human Rights.

Campaign website has a page devoted to Israel/Palestine. It is titled “Maryland is complicit in Genocide.” It focuses on BDS, Israeli as an Apartheid State and the need to end funding to the Maryland Israel Development Center.

NOTE - Because Ellis is a Green Party candidate, he will only appear on the general election, not the primary. Pro-Palestinian voters are encouraged to register with a party during the primary so that they can focus on shaping which Democrats/ Republicans make it to the General Election. Doing so does not affect who you can vote for in the General Election.

Governor

State Senators

Philip Cook (Democrat) - Candidate (website)

I 100% support ending funding to the Maryland Israel Development Center and I will commit to refusing campaign donation or lobbying support from organizations or individuals tied to the Hindu nationalist movement.

Delegates

Delegate Gabe Acevero (Democrat) - Incumbent (Facebook)

Cosponsor for Break the Bonds divestment campaign for Israel bonds.

Cosponsor for legislation to end the BDS State Ban.

Sponsor of 2024 Ceasefire resolution.

Sponsor of Not on Our Dime legislation which would stop non—profits who give money to Israeli settlements.

Sponsor of 2024 Ceasefire resolution.

Supports the Drop the Maryland Israel Development Center campaign to end funding.

Wrote a letter against the Montgomery County Senators who stated they were going to defund CASA because it spoke out against the genocide.

Uses the word “genocide” and Israeli Apartheid.

Acevero is in district 39. Only D39 residents can vote for him. Please see this short video about “bullet voting.”

County Council

D4 (Takoma Park/Silver Spring)

Peter “Rocky” Whitesell (Democrat)- Candidate (website)

Has provided the following statements.

There has been overwhelming evidence for a long time that the Israeli government has engaged in the deliberate starvation of the Gazan people. That alone is a horrific crime for which there can be no justification, no debate. It is just plain wrong.

I have never wished, and never will wish harm, displacement, or hatred against the Israeli or any other people, but I believe that our county’s continued subsidy of Israeli government-aligned economic activity is a clear endorsement of the Israeli government’s horrific actions and views. To break these ties, and to make clear why we do so, is not just our duty to Gazans, it is our duty to the Israeli people also. True friends do not simply watch in silence. They speak up, act, and confront us with the truth when we do wrong.

For many other reasons, funding for the MIDC is wrong. It is wrong for a county government to subsidize the activities of specific foreign governments and businesses, or to conduct foreign policy generally. It is wrong for residents’ incomes to directly subsidize foreign owned arms manufacturers like ELTA. And it is wrong for the county council to force residents to pay for AI surveillance companies like REKOR whose technology is now used to track, hunt, and abuse the most basic civil rights of our neighbors and friends.

Regarding the HIndutva

Yes. I will reject donations or support associated with ethnonationalist political movements, including Hindutva. I am opposed to any movement or group that aims to repress others because of their religion, race, or identity. I want the people of our county and everywhere else to be able to live freely and in peace.

At-Large (All MoCo Residents/Can Vote for Both)

Josie Caballero (Democrat) - Candidate (website)

Is committed to NOT fund the Maryland Israel Development Center.

Caballero is “at Large” so anyone registered as a Democrat can vote for her in the primary. You can vote for up to four candidates for the at-large seat.

Arif Wali (Democrat) - Candidate (website)

Will be listed on the ballot at “Wali Arif for All”

Said in a podcast (minute 38:20) that he does not support funding to the Maryland Israel Development Center. “I will not support anything that supports genocide.”

Wali is “at Large” so anyone registered as a Democrat can vote for him in the primary. You can vote for up to four candidates for the at-large seat.

Arif Wali no Maryland Israel Development Center