Washington County Republicans Seek Applicants for County Commissioner Vacancy

The Washington County Republican Central Committee is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Board of County Commissioners, with the appointed individual serving until December 2026. This process follows the resignation of Derek Harvey, who stepped down to pursue new business ventures. According to Maryland local law 9-402, the Republican Central Committee will recommend a nominee to the Governor for this position. The individual selected to fill the vacancy must be a registered Republican, aligning with the political affiliation of the vacating commissioner. The Governor is then required to appoint the recommended individual within 15 days of the submission.

This article was updated 3/4/2026 1:53 PM to add information regarding ramifications of nomination of candidates who already are in a different elected position.

Interested registered Republican voters in Washington County are encouraged to contact the Washington County Republican Central Committee at committee@wcmdgop.com for detailed application instructions. Prospective applicants will need to submit a comprehensive application package. This package must include a resume, three letters of reference, and a completed financial disclosure form. The deadline for submitting these materials is Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Additionally, all applicants are responsible for reviewing and confirming their adherence to the state of Maryland’s qualifications for candidacy.

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners is comprised of five members, each serving a four-year term. All commissioners are elected at large, meaning they represent the entirety of Washington County rather than a specific district. The election cycle for these positions aligns with the general election held during gubernatorial election years, such as 2026 and 2030. When a vacancy arises between election cycles, the position is typically filled through an appointment to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. The selected appointee must meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency requirements, and formally file a Financial Disclosure Statement with the Washington County Board of Elections.

The current vacancy presents the Central Committee with a strategic decision. They can choose from the individuals who have already filed as Republican candidates for the upcoming election, potentially offering them an advantage in voter name recognition. Alternatively, the committee may opt to appoint a candidate who has not yet filed for election. This latter choice would result in the appointed individual serving the remainder of Commissioner Harvey’s term without the possibility of seeking re-election in the next cycle. Among those already filed as Republican candidates, excluding incumbents, are Robert Matthew Breeding, Charles Burkett, April M. Compton, Curtis W. Reigh, Kaden Snyder, and Dan Young. Notably, Charles Burkett currently serves on the Washington County Board of Education, and his appointment to the Board of County Commissioners would necessitate the nomination of a replacement for his nonpartisan role on the school board. Likewise, Robert Breeding currently serves as Washington County Treasurer, and his appointment to the Board of County Commissioners would require nomination of another Republican to replace his current role as Treasurer.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from The Republican Central Committee.

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