Description

Maryland’s 5th Congressional District is a strongly Democratic seat, and with Leader Steny Hoyer retiring, the Democratic primary will determine the next Member of Congress. This will be a competitive, multi-candidate race where many contenders share similar Democratic values. The difference will not be ideology alone — it will be organization, coalition-building, fundraising strength, disciplined execution, and the ability to build a campaign that feels authentic and connected to voters.

Wala Blegay is a Prince George’s County Councilmember and attorney who has spent more than 20 years fighting for working families in Maryland. The daughter of West African immigrants who dedicated their lives to serving refugees and families in need, Wala has built her career standing up for people who are too often overlooked.

On the County Council, she created the ER Wait Time Task Force to demand healthcare accountability, championed Food as Medicine to improve access to nutrition, fought predatory business practices, and pushed for responsible development that strengthens communities rather than displaces them.

Her campaign is centered on protecting federal workers and contractors, advancing Medicare for All, lowering costs for working families, ending corporate control of politics, and fighting for climate justice and good-paying jobs. Wala believes government should work for working people — not billionaires or special interests.

This race will move quickly and draw attention beyond Maryland due to the district’s proximity to Washington and the legacy of such a high-profile seat.

The Campaign Manager will serve as the senior strategist and day-to-day leader of the operation. This role requires someone who can:

• Build and execute a comprehensive campaign plan and timeline
• Manage budget, cash flow, and resource allocation
• Set and track weekly performance metrics across fundraising, field, and communications
• Oversee voter contact strategy (doors, phones, text, mail, digital)
• Ensure smart targeting and universe development in a crowded primary
• Align fundraising, communications, digital, and field around a clear message
• Recruit, hire, and manage staff and consultants
• Create a culture that is disciplined, accountable, and energized

Campaign managers are generalists by necessity. You must understand fundraising, field, communications, targeting, and budgeting — even if you are not personally executing every task. This role requires someone who can build the plane while flying it, adjust mid-course, and keep the team aligned all the way through Election Day.

Salary: $7,000 – $10,000 per month, commensurate with experience.
The higher end of the range is intended for candidates with senior-level experience and demonstrated fundraising ability.
Full-time position based in Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. Candidates in the region willing to spend significant time in the district will be considered.

Requirements

Core Experience:

• Senior leadership experience in a competitive Democratic primary or comparable nonpartisan race
• Demonstrated experience managing campaign budgets and fundraising programs
• Proven experience overseeing voter contact programs and understanding targeting strategy
• Experience coordinating communications and digital vendors to maintain message discipline
• Ability to lead teams under pressure and maintain alignment in fast-moving environments

Technical & Systems Fluency:

• VAN/voter file targeting workflows
• NGP and ActBlue fundraising tracking
• Texting platforms (Hustle or similar tools)
• Digital performance metrics and paid media coordination
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets budgeting and forecasting
• Weekly dashboard reporting and metric accountability
• Leadership & Management Skills
• Strong organizational and project management ability
• Clear goal-setting and accountability systems
• Self-awareness to hire and build a complementary team
• Comfort working with diverse communities across Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties
• High-energy, people-oriented leadership style
• Ability to balance seriousness about winning with a campaign culture that people want to be part of
• Ideal candidates will live in the district, though strong regional candidates willing to be fully present there will be considered.

This role is for someone who understands that in a multi-candidate Democratic primary, differentiation comes from execution, relationships, coalition strength, and disciplined strategy — not just policy alignment.