County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Thad L. Bench — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  Thad L. Bench Sr. is a Democratic candidate for County Commissioner in Kent County, Maryland. An experienced entrepreneur, he founded the healthcare marketing firm Benchworks, growing it into a highly successful company before selling it in 2024. Bench now lectures on leadership and entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University and is the author of "Noble Work". A graduate of Elmira College, he has served as a trustee for Washington College and was elected to the Kent County Democratic Central Committee in 2010. Describing himself as a conservative Democrat, Bench aims to bring his management background and fresh ideas to local government.

• John T. Carroll — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  John T. Carroll is an experienced public servant and local leader running as a Democratic candidate for County Commissioner in Kent County, Maryland. Based in the town of Galena, Carroll has served as the Mayor of Galena, bringing valuable direct experience in municipal governance. Active in regional Maryland politics, he previously ran for the Democratic Central Committee for Kent County during the 2014 and 2018 election cycles. Now running for County Commissioner in the 2026 primary election, Carroll aims to transition his record of mayoral leadership and dedicated public service to the county level to effectively serve all residents of Kent County.

• David Foster — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  David Foster is a Democratic candidate for Kent County Commissioner in Maryland. A veteran of the Peace Corps, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Vietnam War, he brings decades of public service experience to his campaign. Foster earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Maryland and a master's in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech. He later worked as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer focusing on sustainable development. Locally, Foster has served as the Chester Riverkeeper, a Ward One Councilman, and Mayor of Chestertown. As a candidate for commissioner, he advocates for balanced economic development, fair taxation, and strong schools.

• Sam Shoge — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  Sam Shoge is a Democratic candidate for Kent County Commissioner in Maryland. A lifelong Eastern Shore resident, he focuses on responsible growth, long-term stability, and economic development. Shoge earned a bachelor's degree from Elon University and served on the Chestertown Town Council. Professionally, he worked as the Economic Development Coordinator for Talbot County and led the Kent County Chamber of Commerce as its Executive Director. As a consultant and entrepreneur, Shoge helps small businesses and local organizations succeed. He resides in Chestertown, where he raises two young daughters with his wife.

• Ron Fithian — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  Ronald H. Fithian is a Republican candidate and the President of the Kent County Commission in Maryland. A lifelong resident of Rock Hall, Fithian brings decades of public service to the county, having served as a County Commissioner for over 24 years and entering his seventh term. Before his time on the Commission, he served as Town Manager of Rock Hall for 21 years. Fithian has deep roots in the local economy, spending 30 years as an active waterman for the Maryland Seafood Industry. In 2021, Governor Larry Hogan honored him as a Chesapeake Bay Ambassador. He and his wife share four children and nine grandchildren.

• Albert Nickerson — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  Albert Nickerson is a Republican politician currently serving as a County Commissioner for Kent County, Maryland. A lifelong resident of Kent County with deep family roots in the local community, Nickerson was first elected to the Kent County Commission in the November 2022 general election alongside fellow Republicans John F. Price and Ron Fithian. During his tenure, he has actively participated in local governance, including serving as Vice Chair of the Kent County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Nickerson is currently running for re-election to retain his seat as a Kent County Commissioner in the upcoming 2026 Republican primary elections.

• John F. Price — County Commissioner in Kent, Maryland

  John F. Price is a lifelong Kent County resident running as a Republican candidate for County Commissioner. He previously served as the elected Sheriff of Kent County from 1994 to 2022, following ten years as a Chestertown police officer. Price took office as a Kent County Commissioner in 2022 and seeks to continue his public service in the 2026 election. A graduate of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy and the National Sheriffs' Institute, he is a past president of the Maryland Sheriffs' Association. Price and his wife, Sharon, have been married for over forty years, raising two daughters.