County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

2026 Primary Election

• Samuel Briskin — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Samuel Briskin is a Democratic political candidate seeking election to the office of County Commissioner in Washington County, Maryland, during the 2026 election cycle. He is competing in a primary field of seven Democratic candidates who are vying for a place on the general election ballot. The Washington County Board of County Commissioners consists of five members who are elected at-large to serve four-year terms, meaning successful candidates represent the entirety of the county rather than specific geographic districts. Briskin's campaign focuses on securing one of these five highly sought-after seats to serve the local community.

• Jonathan Fish — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Jonathan Fish is a Democratic candidate running for County Commissioner in Washington County, Maryland, during the 2026 election cycle. He is competing in the Democratic primary to secure one of five available seats on the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. These positions are elected at-large, representing the entire county for four-year terms. The June primary features a large field of contenders seeking to advance to the general election ballot. While details about his personal background and platform are sparse in public records, his campaign is officially confirmed by the Maryland State Board of Elections.

• Chris Keane — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Chris Keane is a Democratic candidate running for an at-large seat on the Washington County Board of County Commissioners in Maryland's 2026 elections. A resident of Washington County, Keane recently participated in the inaugural cohort of Maryland's Service Year Option program, an initiative championed by Governor Wes Moore for recent high school graduates. As part of this program, Keane served his local community by working at Horizon Goodwill in Hagerstown, completing his service year in the summer of 2024. Now, he is seeking public office to further his commitment to public service and bring his community-focused experience to the county's local government.

• Patrick Kirby — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Patrick Kirby is a Democratic candidate running for Washington County Commissioner in Maryland for the 2026 election. Seeking to serve a four-year term on the board, Kirby is running in an at-large contest to represent all of Washington County. His platform focuses on advancing public education, environmental protection, healthcare accessibility, public transportation, and public safety. Positioning himself as an advocate for the working class, Kirby refuses to accept campaign contributions from corporate donors, developers, and special interest groups. Additionally, he signed the American Promise Candidate Pledge against corruption.

• Les McIntosh, Sr. — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Les McIntosh Sr. is a Democratic candidate running for County Commissioner in Washington County, Maryland. A devoted community leader and small business owner, he has operated Les Energy LLC for over twelve years. McIntosh is the founder and lead pastor of Impact Ministries, dedicating his life to strengthening local families. He also serves as Vice President and Religious Chairman of the Washington County NAACP, advocating for youth development and public safety. A proud father of five, McIntosh lives in Washington County with his wife, Danita. He is running to grow the economy with purpose and provide servant leadership.

• Teri Pailen — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Teri Pailen is a Democratic candidate running for the office of Washington County Commissioner in Maryland's 2026 election. As a former federal employee with extensive professional experience in grants management, she brings a background of fiscal responsibility to her campaign. Pailen is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in local government. During her campaign, she has actively advocated for community inclusion in county decision-making, notably organizing alongside residents to address public concerns regarding a proposed ICE facility. She seeks to leverage her public service background to better serve the county.

• Lara A. Shepherd — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Lara A. Shepherd is a Democratic candidate running for the office of County Commissioner in Washington County, Maryland, in the 2026 election cycle. She officially filed her candidacy on November 13, 2025, establishing her campaign committee, Friends of Lara Shepherd. As a candidate in the Democratic primary, she is seeking one of the five at-large seats on the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. Because the commissioners are elected at-large, Shepherd aims to represent all residents across the entire county for a four-year term. Operating her campaign out of the Hagerstown area, she is working to engage local voters.

• Dave Williams — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Dave Williams is a Democratic politician who ran for the office of Washington County Commissioner in Maryland during the 2022 election. A resident of Smithsburg, Maryland, Williams has actively engaged with local government by participating in county meetings to discuss community issues, including the Board of Education's budget. Bringing valuable experience from a 40-year professional career, he emphasizes the importance of organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills. As a candidate, Williams focused his campaign platform on economic growth and community investment, prioritizing the research and acquisition of grants to bring funding to the county.

• John F. Barr — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  John F. Barr is a Republican candidate seeking re-election to the Board of County Commissioners in Washington County, Maryland. Raised in Boonsboro, Barr is a Master Electrician who owned Ellsworth Electric, Inc. from 1984 to 2020. First elected as a County Commissioner in 2006, he is serving his fourth term and is the current Board President. Throughout his public service career, Barr has served on numerous advisory boards, including the Economic Development Commission. He also served as President of the Maryland Association of Counties in 2016. He is currently campaigning for a fifth term in the 2026 election.

• Robert Matthew Breeding — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Robert Matthew Breeding is a Maryland public servant and Republican candidate running for the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. Breeding currently serves as the elected Washington County Treasurer, overseeing revenue collection and financial services for citizens, businesses, and government agencies. Prior to his work in county financial administration, Breeding had a career in law enforcement and the military, serving as a Maryland State Trooper and an Army Reserve Military Police officer. He is now seeking one of five at-large commissioner seats to further his public service in Washington County.

• Charles Burkett — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Charles Burkett is a Republican candidate for Washington County Commissioner in Maryland. He formerly served as a County Commissioner after being unanimously confirmed and appointed by Governor Larry Hogan in April 2021 to fill a vacant seat. Burkett brings extensive private sector experience to his campaign, having owned Burkett's Deli and CB Properties, and founding Servtec Inc., a commercial cleaning business he operated for two decades. Additionally, he serves as a Ministry Support Coordinator at Calvary Chapel of Cumberland Valley. A member of the Washington County Public School Board, Burkett supports conservative policies.

• Jeffrey A. Cline — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Jeffrey A. Cline is a Republican currently serving as a Washington County Commissioner in Maryland. First elected in 2010, Cline has held key leadership roles, including multiple terms as President and Vice-President of the board. Before joining county government, he served on the Williamsport Town Council from 2005 to 2009. A licensed realtor since 2003, Cline earned his Graduate of Realtor Institute designation and completed the Maryland Association of Realtors Leadership Academy. He holds an associate degree from Hagerstown Community College. Furthermore, Cline has served as president of the Washington County Republican Club.

• April M. Compton — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  April M. Compton is a Republican candidate running for election to the Washington County Board of Commissioners in Maryland. She is seeking one of five available commissioner seats in the upcoming 2026 election cycle. Compton appears on the Republican primary ballot, competing in a crowded field that includes several incumbent commissioners as well as multiple challengers for the GOP nomination. As a candidate for local office in Washington County, she is seeking a position that helps oversee county government operations and local public policies. Currently, there is limited public biographical information available regarding her prior professional background.

• Randy Leatherman — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Randal "Randy" Leatherman is a Republican serving as a Washington County Commissioner in Maryland. Appointed in April 2025 to fill a vacancy, he is now running for a full term in the 2026 election. Prior to politics, Leatherman spent nearly 30 years as a firefighter and rescue technician with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, retiring in 2013. He served on Virginia Task Force 1, conducting search and rescue missions worldwide and at the Pentagon on 9/11. Additionally, he served in the U.S. Air Force and the West Virginia Air National Guard for two decades. He resides in Fairplay, Maryland.

• Curtis W. Reigh — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Curtis William Reigh is a Republican candidate running for County Commissioner in Washington County, Maryland, in the 2026 election. A resident of Hagerstown, Reigh has built a campaign focused on representing the interests of average citizens who feel overlooked by current leadership. His platform heavily critiques the county's approach to development and spending, arguing that resources are too often allocated to benefit a select few. Reigh is an advocate for long-term self-sufficiency and strategic infrastructure improvements. To combat rising utility costs, he has proposed that the county build its own power plant to generate energy.

• Kaden Snyder — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Kaden Snyder is a Republican candidate running for the Washington County Board of County Commissioners in Maryland in the 2026 election. A lifelong resident of Washington County, Snyder brings a background in state government, healthcare, and education to his campaign. He previously served as President of the Washington County Republican Club PAC and ran for a commissioner seat in 2022. In his current bid for the at-large commissioner contest, Snyder is campaigning as a strong advocate for taxpayers. His platform emphasizes reducing taxes for local families and small businesses, promoting fiscal responsibility, and increasing transparency.

• Dan Young — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Dan Young is a Republican candidate running for County Commissioner in Washington County, Maryland, in the 2026 election. Emphasizing a fresh outlook and experienced leadership, Young leverages his extensive public safety background to serve his community. His campaign focuses heavily on traditional values like transparency, ethical conduct, and an orderly society. A key pillar of his platform is public safety, which includes strong support for Fire, EMS, law enforcement, and 911 services. Additionally, he promotes smart development, aiming to protect agricultural lands and local history while balancing economic growth and managing infrastructure.

• Taj Smith — County Commissioner in Washington, Maryland

  Taj Smith is a community leader and Unaffiliated candidate for the Washington County Board of Commissioners in Maryland. A mother of three and owner of The Advocacy Junkie, a consulting, notary, and legal firm in Hagerstown, she has dedicated her career to public advocacy. Smith holds a degree in Human Services: Child & Family Welfare and a Paralegal certificate. Currently, she serves as President of the Washington County NAACP and is involved with the ACLU Western Maryland Advocacy Team. As an independent, her platform prioritizes housing, economic development, healthcare, public safety, transportation, and education.