Milan van Dam – Candidate for Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee – District 15 (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)

This post is part of the Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series. Candidates who did not receive the questionnaire via email or need more information can get access through our contact form. The information in this post was submitted directly by the candidate and does not represent the views of Moderately MOCO or its publication.

Basic Information

Political Party: Democratic

Campaign Website: milanformoco.com

Social Media Links:
facebook.com/milanformoco
instagram.com/milanformoco
twitter.com/milanformoco

Why Are You Running For Office?

We are not living in ordinary times. The Trump Administration is targeting our immigrant neighbors, stripping rights from marginalized communities, and dismantling the institutions that protect working families. Our response as Democrats cannot be business as usual. I’m running for the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee because District 15 deserves a representative who will build the kind of year-round grassroots infrastructure that actually wins elections, stands up to Trump and MAGA extremists, and delivers real results for our community. I’m running because I’ve seen what organized communities can do, and I know the party can do more.

What Is The Biggest Issue Facing Voters In This Race?

The biggest issue facing voters in this race is whether our Democratic Party is actually prepared to meet this moment with urgency, consistency, and real action. Too often, local party structures remain invisible to most Montgomery County residents. If we want to defeat MAGA extremism, we need a party that is present year-round: one that communicates clearly, shows up in every community, mobilizes quickly, and advocates for working people and vulnerable communities. In conversations I’ve had across the county over the last few years, I’ve seen consistent frustration with insider politics, and a sense that most of us are too often shut out of decision-making within the party. On the Central Committee, I’ll strengthen precinct-level organizing and volunteer pipelines, while improving communication, increasing transparency, and making the local party more representative and accountable to all of us. These are not ordinary times, and it’s time we elect a new generation of party leadership that can meet this moment to take on Trump and deliver for all of us.

What Experience Best Prepares You For This Role?

I am an organizer first, not a politician. I have helped lead one of the country’s largest Democratic organizations, where we’ve organized across all 50 states and abroad. I’ve worked on campaigns and initiatives in Montgomery County and across the state, while serving on the Executive Board of the Montgomery County Young Democrats and on the DNC’s Youth Council. Lastly, I’ve worked to expand representation and accessibility from the state party to the DNC. I know how to build infrastructure, stand up to MAGA extremists and the Trump administration, and make the party more accountable and accessible, and that is exactly the experience I hope to bring to the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.Beyond this, I’m a son of immigrants, product of MCPS, and a committed member of our Montgomery County community. The people of our county have been standing up, from No Kings protests to organizing our neighbors against what is coming out of the White House. I believe that our party should do the same, be accountable to us and representative of our communities, and fight for a better future for everyone.

What Would You Like Voters To Know About You Personally?

My commitment to this work is deeply personal, and I’m frankly frustrated. As our immigrant neighbors are under constant threat, hate and antisemitism are rising, our democracy is under threat, and it gets harder to get by for everyday people, our local party infrastructure is not where it needs to be. We need to do more. Local party leadership should be active, accountable, and meet this moment. I believe in having real conversations with everyday people, standing up to special interests, rejecting hate clearly, and defeating Trump to deliver for our communities. I hope you will join our movement at milanformoco.com.

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