Rockville City Council Candidate Izola Shaw Announces Initial Endorsements During Campaign Fundraiser

Rockville City Council candidate Izola Shaw announced her initial endorsements during a widely attended campaign fundraiser last Thursday on Sept. 15. 

These endorsements from a broad range of elected officials, organizations, and community leaders include:

• Will Jawando — Montgomery County Councilmember At-Large

• Kate Stewart — Montgomery County Councilmember and former Mayor of Takoma Park

• Virginia Onley — Former Rockville Councilmember and 2019 Rockville mayoral candidate

• Lisa Henderson — Gaithersburg City Council Vice President

• Robert T. Wu — Gaithersburg City Councilmember

• Rabbi Rain Zohav — Community faith leader and Rockville resident

• Dr. Jeni Stepanek (Mama Peace / Mattie's mom) — Community leader and Rockville resident

• Dr. Tasnuva Khan — Public health leader

• Alex Vazquez — Montgomery County community organizer, leader and activist

• Sandy Shan — Community organizer, leader and Rockville resident

• CASA in Action

• Progressive Maryland

“I am proud to support Izola Shaw for Rockville City Council,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando. “She has a proven track record of community service and policy experience. Our County has benefited from her dedicated work to advance equity.”

Izola stated that her “vision for Rockville is simple yet powerful. I want to ensure that all residents receive the quality services they need and have the opportunity to engage in making policies that directly impact their lives.” She additionally stated, “No one should be left on the sidelines, and I have a unique ability to break down barriers to civic participation.”

Izola has decades of leadership experience at all levels of government, from local to county, to state, to federal. After receiving her master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in Economic Development, she served in 12 countries throughout Africa leading community development projects.

Izola served as a Commissioner on the Rockville Charter Review Commission. The Rockville Charter is a legal document similar to a constitution, that outlines how the city is organized and conducts business, such as holding elections, adopting ordinances, and providing services. Throughout her term as a Commissioner, she worked to propose updates to the Charter aimed at increasing civic participation.

As an affordable housing expert, Izola not only brings years of strong policymaking experience but also her lived experience of being displaced from her home growing up. She understands the consequences of being priced out and housing instability. Izola stated, “My belief is that every Rockville resident deserves safe, attainable, stable housing to thrive.” 

During the pandemic, she successfully advocated for a temporary hold on Rockville rent increases to stop unnecessary evictions among Rockville families and prevent increased homelessness. In Montgomery County, Izola championed, drafted, and organized a coalition of diverse communities to successfully achieve the passage of landmark affordable housing legislation.

She led a community coalition in advocating that Montgomery County expand its community engagement practices to more effectively reach underserved and low-income communities to collect feedback on proposed planning and zoning policies. Izola’s efforts led to a more inclusive general plan and changed the policymaking process for the future.

“You will hear a lot of buzzwords in this race like ‘government equity,' ‘diversifying our workforce’ and ‘more representation,’” she said. “If candidates are not working to build support from different communities across our beautiful diverse City and addressing those communities’ needs, then they are just words.”

Izola co-founded a coalition to draft, amend, and advocate for the passage of the Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Act. Following the passage of the Act, Izola was appointed by the County Executive to the advisory committee charged with guiding the Act and elected to Chair the committee. Izola’s work to pass this Act also led to the creation of the Montgomery County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice.

Izola has strong grassroots support from a variety of community leaders. “Izola Shaw is someone who ‘walks the walk’. She demonstrates what it really means to reach out, engage, and empower people from all walks of life in the decisions that directly affect them,” said Rabbi Rain Zohav. “She embodies the values of love and respect for all of our neighbors — goals our community strives to build. For these reasons, especially at this moment in time, Izola Shaw is uniquely qualified to serve on the Rockville City Council.” 

Learn more about Izola Shaw’s candidacy.

Key election dates:

• October 13, 2023: Ballots mailed to registered voters on or before October 13.

• November 7, 2023: Election Day. Completed ballots must be received by 8 p.m., in person at City Hall or by mail.

###

About Izola Shaw for Rockville City Council Campaign

As a Councilmember, Izola will work with all neighborhoods to:

• Create a safer and more affordable Rockville.

• Add a fresh approach to our economic growth and development plan to revitalize Town Center and beyond. 

• Expand community engagement and outreach to better address the needs of the entire City.

• Protect our environment for a more sustainable future.