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County Commissioner · Washington 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 raceCharles Burkett is a lifelong Washington County resident who lives in the Hagerstown area with his wife Wendy and has raised four children while opening their home to foster many others. He built and operated three successful businesses in Washington County for more than twenty-five years, including owning Burkett's Deli at 23 N. Locust St., CB Properties as a landlord for commercial and residential properties, and Servtec Inc., a commercial cleaning business he operated for about 20 years. In 2021, Governor Hogan nominated him to fill the vacant Washington County Commissioner seat on the recommendation of the county GOP central committee, where he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. During his two-year tenure as commissioner, Burkett supported and voted for three tax cuts while consistently championing public safety and community-focused agencies. He also ran for the Washington County Board of Education in 2024 and earned the highest number of votes in that election before returning to run for County Commissioner again.
Sources: Campaign website
I would appreciate your vote for County Commissioner, thank you for visiting my website.
I consider myself to be a fiscally and socially conservative Republican, so that is how I'll base a lot of my decisions.
Today, Charlie is ready to bring that same steady, principled leadership back to the Board of County Commissioners—focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and putting Washington County families first.
Tax Policy
Burkett supported and voted for three tax cuts during his two years as commissioner
“During that time, he supported and voted for three tax cuts”
Public Safety
Consistently championed public safety and community-focused agencies while serving as commissioner
“consistently championed public safety and community‑focused agencies”
Fiscal Responsibility
Focuses on fiscal responsibility in his campaign for County Commissioner
“focused on fiscal responsibility, public safety, and putting Washington County families first”
External news coverage from Maryland Matters discusses Democratic candidates seeking to oust current Washington County commissioners in 2026, citing concerns about actions including ending public comment at commission meetings and endorsing an ICE detention facility. The Conduit Street article from April 2021 reports on Burkett's confirmation as commissioner following Governor Hogan's nomination and the county GOP central committee's recommendation.
“In 2024, Charlie ran for the Washington County Board of Education and earned the highest number of votes in that election. He brought to the Board a conservative, common‑sense approach to leadership and decision‑making.”
Source“consistently championed public safety and community‑focused agencies”
Source“I consider myself to be a fiscally and socially conservative Republican, so that is how I'll base a lot of my decisions”
Source“During that time, he supported and voted for three tax cuts”
Source“Together, they have raised four children and have opened their home to foster many others”
Source