The Candidate
Hamza's Story
Twenty years of organizing, coalition-building, and fighting for Montgomery County.
Hamza doesn't like this photo. We don't care because he needs a decent headshot!
A Little Bit More About Hamza
Hamza Khan has been fighting for a better Montgomery County since he was 14 years old. By 16, he was interning on Congressman Chris Van Hollen's 2004 campaign. Since then, he's become a lifelong political activist and community organizer — building coalitions, fighting for justice, and showing up for voiceless communities. Twenty years later, that calling has built a record no other candidate in this race can match. He and siblings all attended Montgomery County Public Schools. Hamza graduated from Winston Churchill High School, and went on to earn degrees from UMBC and Georgetown University.
Hamza served on the board of the Montgomery County Young Democrats while in high school
Movement Politics is His Calling
Hamza has built broad coalitions around the issues that matter: fighting illegal foreclosures, standing with workers in the Fight for $15, protecting our drinking water through the Save Ten Mile Creek campaign, advocating for the Maryland Dream Act, protecting immigrant communities through the Maryland TRUST Act, and coordinating the coalition that passed the Juvenile Restoration Act.
He's worked directly with families, self-advocates, and grassroots organizations to restore disability funding, strengthen job training, and fight for environmental protection.
Hamza interned for civil rights legend Rep. Elijah Cummings on Capitol Hill
Interfaith Leadership & Building Bridges
Hamza has spent his life building bridges across communities at a time when division is too often rewarded in politics. After helping to moderate a multi-day live dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis with over half a million participants, Hamza co-founded the Pomegranate Initiative alongside a rabbi to foster sustained interfaith dialogue, and later served on the board of the Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society of the Washington Area. His work extends across traditions—organizing for social justice with Hindu clergy and Black churches, engaging Buddhist communities, bringing neighbors together through interfaith iftars and seders, and even attending Midnight Mass in a spirit of shared faith and solidarity.
One of Hamza's first jobs was as a youth counselor to gifted high school exchange students from the Middle East, South Asia and the former USSR
A Proven Fighter for Progressive Values
Hamza has been on the front lines of progressive politics his entire life — not in conference rooms, but in the streets, in living rooms, and in the halls of power where decisions get made. He stood with workers in the Fight for $15, fought for our drinking water, advocated for the Maryland Dream Act, and lobbied to restore disability funding. He led anti-gun violence rallies after tragedies like the Pulse shooting.
Hamza has been leading protests and rallies for social change since he was in high school
On the National Stage
Hamza Khan has taken Montgomery County’s values to the national stage, standing up for justice, inclusion, and democratic principles in some of the country’s most high-profile arenas. He has gone head-to-head with Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson on Fox & Friends and challenged Laura Ingraham on national television, forcefully defending immigrants and marginalized communities with clarity and conviction. Beyond cable news, Hamza’s voice and work have been featured in leading national and international outlets including The Washington Post, US News & World Report, NPR, CNBC, Slate, HuffPost, and Al Jazeera. Whether in the media or in public forums, he has consistently demonstrated the courage to speak truth to power—and the ability to represent his community with strength, credibility, and purpose.
Hamza is an alumni of the US State Dept's 'Generation Change' Initiative
Campaign Leadership & Political Strategy
He's served as Campaign Manager for Rob Wu's County Council race, Outreach Director for Congressman John Delaney, Field Director for Beth Daly's Council campaign, and held leadership roles in multiple congressional campaigns. He was a member of County Executive Marc Elrich's transition team and led the Maryland Federation of College Democrats. He understands campaigns from every angle because he's done the work at every level.
Hamza's interest in politics and public policy was ignited by a monthly gathering of Pakistani-American intellectuals called "Chai Time"
Recognition & Education
POLITICO Magazine presented Hamza with the Rising Star Award for his philanthropic and community organizing efforts. He's a graduate of Leadership Montgomery's Emerging Leaders program and holds a Master's degree in Democracy and Governance from Georgetown University and a Bachelor's in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Hamza & his family
Grounded in Family and Community
Eight years ago, Hamza left a rising career in national media and politics to return home and help care for his family, dedicating himself to supporting his brother and sister with special needs. That decision wasn’t about stepping away—it was about stepping up. Through that experience, he gained a deeper understanding of the challenges families face navigating care, dignity, and stability in Montgomery County. It’s shaped his belief that public service must start with compassion, responsibility, and a commitment to ensuring no family is left behind.