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County Commissioner · District 2 · Saint Mary's County · 2026 Primary
County Commissioners act as both the lawmaking body and the executive branch for their county, meaning they pass local ordinances and oversee all county departments. They are responsible for setting property tax rates and adopting the annual budget, which determines funding levels for essential services like public schools, road maintenance, and emergency responders. Their decisions on land use and zoning also directly influence how your community grows and what types of businesses or housing can be built.
View all candidates in this raceBrandon Russell is a St. Mary’s County native running for County Commissioner in District 2 in 2026. A graduate of Chopticon High School who later earned two associate degrees from the College of Southern Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland University College, Russell describes himself as someone with deep roots in the county and a work history spanning retail management, small-business operations, and government contracting. In 2022, he founded Informed St. Mary’s to make local government more transparent and accessible. His current campaign emphasizes fact-based decisionmaking, putting community first, stronger school funding, and implementation of the county’s comprehensive plan so growth and zoning work better for residents.
Sources: Campaign website
For more than a decade, St. Mary's County has had the same kind of leadership making the same decisions.
Land-use policies have worked for developers instead of the people who actually live here.
I won't be bought by developer donations, and I'll put the health, welfare, and safety of our residents first.
Zoning laws should work for residents, not developers.
St. Mary's County Public Schools' per-pupil funding is 23 out of 24 jurisdictions in Maryland.
Source: votebrandonrussell.com
Land Use
Russell advocates for zoning laws that serve residents rather than developers, opposes industrial development near neighborhoods, discourages over saturation of commercial uses, and supports rural preservation to protect agriculture and aquaculture. He plans to create master plans for Town Centers to control unwanted development.
“Land Use Zoning laws should work for residents, not developers. That means no industrial development near neighborhoods, discouraging over saturation of commercial uses, and supporting rural preservation to protect agri- and aquaculture.”
Education
Russell highlights that St. Mary's County Public Schools' per-pupil funding ranks 23 out of 24 in Maryland. He commits to investing in schools rather than demanding their closure and will work with the Board of Education and Superintendent to advocate for better state policy.
“I'll focus on student success by investing in schools instead of demanding their closure.”
Affordability
Russell plans to work with community partners and government agencies to expand access to homeownership and medical care. He proposes examining ways to responsibly shift tax burdens to those profiting heavily from the community.
“As Commissioner, I'll work directly with community partners and government agencies to expand access to homeownership and medical care.”
Public Safety
Russell states public safety is underfunded due to bad policy. He plans to update the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to include fire, EMS, police, and health services, and advocate for amended traffic study requirements.
“I'll push to update the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to include fire, EMS, police, and health services.”
“St. Mary's County Public Schools' per-pupil funding is 23 out of 24 jurisdictions in Maryland.”
Source“As Commissioner, I'll work directly with community partners and government agencies to expand access to homeownership and medical care.”
Source“I'll push to update the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to include fire, EMS, police, and health services.”
Source“I'll act decisively to manage growth. I'll push to update the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance to include fire, EMS, police, and health services.”
Source“Small, locally owned businesses diversify our economy, and I'll promote policy to strengthen their ability to succeed.”
Source“I'll examine ways to responsibly shift tax burdens to those profiting heavily from our community.”
Source“Zoning laws should work for residents, not developers. That means no industrial development near neighborhoods.”
Source