Gabrielle Zwi's platform for Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC)
 

Why are you running for MCDCC?

 The MCDCC does important work, which more people need to know about and be meaningfully involved in (click here to learn about what the MCDCC does). I have a proven track record of effective nonpartisan public service, Democratic campaigning, education, and lived experience relevant to this role. I will apply my background in community organizing, teaching, and social media to help build the transparency, accessibility, and sustainability that the MCDCC needs. ​I’ve worked on and volunteered with local campaigns and disability justice and mutual aid organizing, so I know how to get people to not only show up to an event or at the polls, but really show up for each other.  You get up to 8 votes for MCDCC At-Large, and I hope to be one of them.

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How will you make decisions for the process of filling legislative vacancies?

I will look for a strong balance of lived experience deeply rooted in their district, a proven dedication to public service, and the background needed to navigate complex legislation. The distinguishing factor is what they plan to do with that foundation; I will prioritize candidates who bring a concrete plan to fight for Montgomery County’s most vulnerable communities. I would reach out to trusted 501c4 organizations like CASA in Action and MCEA (Apple Ballot) for their input on vacancy candidates. I would proactively seek robust community input by pushing to formalize online portals for letters of support and ensuring public candidate forums offer Zoom participation. Furthermore, I firmly support merging special elections into regular statewide elections (as HB0174/SB0002 would've done) so appointees only serve the interim, preventing the burden of traditional standalone special elections, whose historically low turnout disproportionately excludes working-class and immigrant voters.  

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What changes would you make to ensure the party is more accessible to young voters, newly naturalized and undecided or independent voters?

I’m used to being the youngest in the room, but I never try to keep it that way. Appointed to the Rockville Human Rights Commission at 18, I proposed the Student Ambassador Program, bringing dozens of high schoolers to our meetings to learn, advise on youth issues, and promote our work in their schools. Drawing on my experience leading first-timer phonebanking, letter-writing, and protest-organizing workshops with DC Teens Action, and leading civics workshops in Civic Circle MCPS afterschool programs, I know we must meet new voters where they are. We should expand the MCDCC student member program and integrate these educational components. By livestreaming MCDCC meetings on Zoom, posting immediate social media updates on major decisions, and co-hosting educational mobilization events with faith-based and other communities, we can show undecided and independent voters that our party is worth their energy and trust.

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How will you ensure the party’s outreach, voter education, and precinct organization meaningfully include Latino, African, Asian, and immigrant communities—not just during election season but year‑round? 

I will advocate for utilizing the MCDCC’s existing VAN infrastructure to actively text and email registered Democrats across our diverse districts regarding vacancies and party initiatives. Furthermore, I will ensure we post immediate, multi-lingual updates on social media so non-English speakers are kept fully informed of party decisions and resources. While imperfect, auto-translated captions on Zoom-livestreamed MCDCC meetings could increase access. The MCDCC must actively support community-led initiatives like MoCo Immigrant Rights Collective. From my work on the MoCo Committee Against Hate Violence, I have seen the power of partnering with faith communities and service centers to reach marginalized residents with information, resources, and ways to get involved. From witnessing my Brazilian father become a US citizen to serving as the Civic Engagement Officer of the Latino Student Union at Montgomery College, I know firsthand that immigrant communities cannot be an afterthought. 

When a vacancy occurs in the General Assembly, the party Central Committee appoints someone to complete the rest of the term. Do you support special elections to fill these vacancies? 

With the MCDCC filling 10 vacancies in four years, 40% of our delegation is appointed. I support reintroducing the special elections bill (HB0174/SB0002 which did not past in the 2026 legislative session) to merge special elections into regular statewide elections (in the second year of the term), meaning the Committee appointees only serve the interim. I oppose traditional standalone special elections; their historically low turnout disproportionately excludes working-class voters by adding the burden of an entirely separate election (or 10 in this case).

 

I have more questions for you– what is the best way to get in touch? 

You can reach me directly at votezwi@gmail.com 

I am happy to answer any questions and to hear what you want to see from me and the MCDCC!

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The statements on this page are adapted from my responses to the Latino Democratic Club of Montgomery County's endorsement questionnaire and The League of Women Voters' 2026 Voter Guide questionnaire. ​​