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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 raceDave Williams is a retired public-school librarian and 49-year Washington County resident who was born in Norristown, PA in 1955. He has lived in Smithsburg for 38 years and served as a School Library Media Specialist at Clear Spring Middle, South High, Williamsport High, BISFA/Library Resource, and North High over his 40-year career. A graduate of Millersville University with a Library Education degree, he is a proud active member of United Democrats of Washington County and Washington County Indivisible. He previously ran for Commissioner in 2022 as one of two Democrats against five Republicans, and now stands among six remaining candidates to break the Republican hold on the Board of County Commissioners after three other Democratic candidates withdrew. Williams emphasizes restoring public participation in county government, including evening business meetings, work sessions where issues are discussed publicly rather than behind closed doors, and reinstating citizen comment opportunities at commission meetings.
Sources: Campaign website
I'm running to represent the people of our county. I'm running to put the public back in our county public meetings and to have a government more responsive to its citizens.
Over six months ago, the current commissioners eliminated the opportunity for citizens to comment at meetings. I want to restore that opportunity by reinstating Citizen Participation to the business meeting agenda.
I'm retired. I'm not relying on the commissioner's paycheck to pay my bills or the benefits to provide my healthcare. I'm not a realtor, a contractor, or a business owner so I have no personal business interests to favor.
Source: davewilliamsforcommissioner.com
Public Meetings & Transparency
Restoring citizen participation opportunities and evening business meetings so citizens can attend after work
“I want to restore that opportunity by reinstating Citizen Participation to the business meeting agenda. I want to have evening business meetings so citizens can attend after work; institute work sessions where issues are discussed publicly and not behind closed doors”
ICE Detention Facility
County's lack of response to ICE detention and processing facility outside of Williamsport
“As of this writing, the most critical issue is the county's lack of response to the I.C.E. detention and processing facility outside of Williamsport. This huge national issue landed on Washington County's doorstep and our commissioners ignore it.”
Education Budget
Monitoring education budget allocation as over 40% goes to public schools, community college, and public library
“My public education background will be useful when dealing with the largest single county budget allocation: the over 40% that goes to our public schools, community college, and public library.”
Fiscal Responsibility
Identifying across-the-board savings without sacrificing services; commissioners' discretionary fund as possible exception for cuts
“The county must always strive to identify across-the-board savings that don't sacrifice services. Some budget areas will be held to current levels but, as far as I know now, there are none to prioritize for cuts.”
According to external coverage, Dave Williams was one of two Democrats running for Washington County commissioner four years ago and is now among eight Democrats competing for five seats historically held by Republicans. The Baltimore Sun reports that Williams' motivation for running stems from the current Board's decision last year that essentially ended public comment at commission meetings, as well as commissioners' endorsement of an ICE detention facility in Williamsport despite resident protests.
“Forty years as WCPS public-school librarian prepares me with strong organizational, leadership, problem-solving abilities, respect for research and preparation, the ability to facilitate meetings and work collaboratively, and the background to effectively monitor the education budget allocation.”
Source“Public safety, education, infrastructure, and critical services are among the priorities for funding increases.”
Source“As of this writing, the most critical issue is the county's lack of response to the I.C.E. detention and processing facility outside of Williamsport.”
Source“I want to restore that opportunity by reinstating Citizen Participation to the business meeting agenda. I want to have evening business meetings so citizens can attend after work; institute work sessions where issues are discussed publicly and not behind closed doors.”
Source