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County Commissioner · Kent 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 raceDavid Foster is running for Kent County Commissioner in the June 2026 Democratic primary. He is a veteran of the Peace Corps, Marine Corps, and Vietnam War, with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland and a Master's in Urban & Regional Planning from Virginia Tech. During his time in Kent County, he served as River Keeper on the Chester River, Ward One Councilman in Chestertown, and Mayor of Chestertown. As a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, Foster worked with local governments on sustainable development across more than a dozen countries. He and his wife Barbara have lived full-time in Chestertown since 2011 after purchasing their home there in 1997.
Sources: Campaign website
Kent County's prosperity must reach every community - rural and urban, young and old.
Although our farms produce more food than ever before, they now represent less than 5% of county employment and a rapidly declining share of county property tax revenue.
Kent County school buildings are now rated the worst in Maryland - penalizing our youth and making it all the more difficult to attract the young families our future depends on.
The June 2026 Primary is Decision Time. Don't wait until November - this election could be decided in June.
Source: davidfosterforkent.com
Economic Development
Foster advocates for diversifying Kent County's economy beyond agriculture to create a sustainable tax base that benefits all residents while preserving farms.
“Kent County's economic future depends on building a diverse and sustainable tax base adequate to meet our county's employment and revenue needs.”
Tax Policy
Foster highlights that Kent County has some of the highest property taxes in Maryland, which fall disproportionately on lower-income residents and small businesses.
“Kent County is more dependent on [property taxes] than most, and its Property Taxes are among the highest in Maryland.”
Education
Foster points out that Kent County school buildings are rated the worst in Maryland, which penalizes students and makes it difficult to attract young families.
“Kent County school buildings are now rated the worst in Maryland - penalizing our youth and making it all the more difficult to attract the young families our future depends on.”
Infrastructure
Foster argues that failure to invest in local infrastructure makes it harder to attract employees and services needed by the county.
“Failure to invest in and maintain our local infrastructure makes it all the harder to attract the kinds of employees and services we need.”
Agriculture
Foster notes that while Kent County farms produce more food than ever, they account for less than 5% of county employment.
“Although our farms produce more food than ever before, they now represent less than 5% of county employment and a rapidly declining share of county property tax revenue.”
The Chestertown Spy published a February 25, 2026 article listing David Foster as one of the candidates filing for Kent County Commissioner in the upcoming June 23 primary. The article includes Foster alongside other candidates including John Carroll, Sam Shoge, Thad Bench, incumbent John Price, incumbent Ron Fithian, and incumbent Albert Nickerson.
“Kent County school buildings are now rated the worst in Maryland - penalizing our youth and making it all the more difficult to attract the young families our future depends on.”
Source“Kent County's economic future depends on building a diverse and sustainable tax base adequate to meet our county's employment and revenue needs.”
Source“Kent County has some of the highest property taxes in Maryland, and they fall disproportionately on lower-income residents and small businesses.”
Source“Failure to invest in and maintain our local infrastructure makes it all the harder to attract the kinds of employees and services we need.”
Source“Although our farms produce more food than ever before, they now represent less than 5% of county employment and a rapidly declining share of county property tax revenue.”
Source