County Commissioner in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Donta Varney — County Commissioner in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

  Donta Varney is a Non-Partisan candidate running for the Board of Education in Commissioner District 2, Maryland. A Charles County resident, Varney overcame a period of homelessness with the assistance of LifeStyles of Maryland. After finding steady employment and securing his own apartment, he pursued a master’s degree. Dedicated to giving back to the community, Varney actively advocates for homeless individuals and raises funds for local support programs. In 2025, he was officially appointed to the Charles County Area Council on Aging. He previously sought election to the Orphans' Court and the Board of County Commissioners.

• Cheryl D. Butler-Walker — Democratic Central Committee in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

  Cheryl D. Butler-Walker is a Democratic candidate for County Commissioner in District 2 of Charles County, Maryland. With a strong background in community management, she works at FirstService Residential and serves as a Trustee on the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust. Butler-Walker previously chaired the longest-standing Commission on Common Ownership in Maryland and was an inaugural commissioner for Prince George's County. She also founded the state's only Builders Roundtable. Her campaign prioritizes smart growth, transparent HOA governance, and upgrading infrastructure for all Charles County neighborhoods.

• Peter Murphy — County Commissioner in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

  Peter Murphy is a Democratic candidate running for County Commissioner in Maryland's Commissioner District 2. Born in Washington, D.C., Murphy holds degrees from American University and George Washington University. Before entering politics, he worked as a microbiologist at the National Institutes of Health and taught math and science at a Maryland middle school. Murphy also served as a Southern Maryland Field Representative for U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes. He brings extensive public service experience, having represented District 28 in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2007 to 2015 and previously winning election to the county Board of Commissioners.

• Sha'Meca Latai' Oliver — County Commissioner in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

  Sha'Meca Latai' Oliver is a Democratic candidate for County Commissioner in District 2 of Charles County, Maryland. She brings experience as a real estate professional and a part-time employee in the Charles County Community Services Aging division. Oliver authored the book Breaking The Code of Silence, Now! and founded Building The Best You, LLC, where she works as a life coach to empower women. She is actively involved with the Women Who Lead Connect organization. Recently recognized by the South County Democratic Club for her civic engagement, she officially filed her candidacy for the 2026 local elections.

• Brandon A. Paulin — County Commissioner in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

  Brandon A. Paulin is a Democratic candidate for the Charles County Board of Commissioners to represent District 2 in Maryland. Raised in Indian Head, he has served as mayor for roughly a decade, leading the town's successful revitalization. During his tenure, Paulin championed economic development, a new boardwalk, shoreline restoration, and Indian Head's first grocery store since the 1990s. As a County Commissioner candidate, he is focused on delivering common-sense governance and keeping Charles County affordable for working families. He prioritizes infrastructure investments, strict accountability, and highly transparent local government.

• Leonard "Lenny" Proctor — County Commissioner President in Charles, Maryland

  Leonard "Lenny" Proctor is a Democratic candidate for Charles County Commissioner representing District 2 in Maryland. A lifelong Marylander and proud member of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, Proctor brings a strong background in public service. He is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and earlier in the Maryland National Guard, earning a Governor's Citation for his dedication. Beyond his military service, Proctor has been a successful business owner for over fifteen years. He also serves as the Chairman of the Charles County Democratic Central Committee. His campaign focuses on responsible growth.

• Brenda Thomas — County Commissioner in Commissioner District 2, Maryland

  Brenda Thomas is a Democratic candidate running for Charles County Commissioner in District 2, Maryland, for the 2026 election. A resident of Indian Head, Thomas is described as a candidate with a community-first ethos focused on increasing local visibility. She brings prior public service experience to her campaign, currently serving as a District 2 representative on the Charles County Board of Education, a role she was elected to in November 2022. Running in a competitive Democratic primary, Thomas aims to transition to the Board of Commissioners to help shape crucial county policies regarding budgets, local infrastructure, and sustainable community development in her district.

• Alorah D. Vantassell — Republican Central Committee in Charles, Maryland

  Alorah D. Vantassell is a conservative leader and the Vice President of the Republican Women of Charles County. She has a strong record of advocating for rural community members and ensuring their voices are represented in government. Vantassell is actively involved in local politics, notably testifying against legislative redistricting efforts like HB0488 to prevent the disenfranchisement of voters. Residing in Bryans Road, she is running for a seat on the Republican Central Committee in Charles County, Maryland. Designated by the Central Committee, she is running unopposed to build party strength and engage local voters.