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County Commissioner · Allegany 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 raceDee Dee L. Ritchie is a Republican candidate for Allegany County Commissioner seeking election in the June primary. Born and raised in Allegany County, she brings over forty years of experience working for the State of Maryland and private sector business to her campaign. Ritchie holds two master's degrees from Frostburg State University, including one in Education and another in Parks and Recreation Resource Management, having previously served as a Natural Resource Planner, adjunct professor, and Circuit Rider for Garrett County. She emphasizes full-time leadership, transparency, and representation across cities, towns, and rural communities within the county. Her platform focuses on responsible economic growth, public safety support for law enforcement, education investment, and environmental stewardship of local trails and waterways.
Sources: Campaign website
I am running for Allegany County Commissioner because I believe our county deserves full-time leadership that is present, engaged, and accountable to the people every single day.
My campaign is about representation—real representation—in every corner of Allegany County. Whether you live in our cities, our towns, or our rural communities, your voice matters, and it deserves to be heard equally.
Transparency is another cornerstone of my service. The public has a right to know how decisions are made, how resources are used, and what the future holds.
Public safety is non-negotiable. I will work to ensure our law enforcement, first responders, and emergency services have the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe.
Source: votedeedeeritchie.com
Economic Development
Supporting local businesses, attracting new opportunities, and creating jobs that allow families to thrive right here at home.
“We must also focus on responsible economic growth—supporting local businesses, attracting new opportunities, and creating jobs that allow families to thrive right here at home.”
Public Safety
Ensuring law enforcement, first responders, and emergency services have the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe.
“Public safety is non-negotiable. I will work to ensure our law enforcement, first responders, and emergency services have the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe.”
Education
Investing in youth and offering opportunities for them to live, learn and stay in Allegany County.
“And finally, education is an investment in our future. Strong schools and workforce development are essential to building a stronger, more competitive county.”
Environment
Protecting local trails, forests, and waterways while ensuring Allegany County remains a sanctuary for both residents and visitors.
“Dee Dee is dedicated to protecting our local trails, forests, and waterways, ensuring Allegany County remains a sanctuary for both residents and visitors.”
Small Business
Creating business incentives to attract new business to the region and creating better initiatives for existing business to prosper.
“Supporting Small Business and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Working to create business incentives to attract new business to the region and creating better initiatives for existing business to prosper in the existing business climate.”
The Yahoo article lists Ritchie as a Republican newcomer joining the race for Allegany County Commissioner in the June primary election alongside incumbents Bill Atkinson, Creade Brodie, and Dave Caporale. She is one of several new candidates filing by Tuesday's deadline, competing against Democrats Chelsea Boor and Carol Taccino and other Republicans Seth Bernard, Leona McTaggart, and David Alan Robison.
“And finally, education is an investment in our future. Strong schools and workforce development are essential to building a stronger, more competitive county.”
Source“Public safety is non-negotiable. I will work to ensure our law enforcement, first responders, and emergency services have the tools and support they need to keep our communities safe.”
Source“We must also focus on responsible economic growth—supporting local businesses, attracting new opportunities, and creating jobs that allow families to thrive right here at home.”
Source“Dee Dee is dedicated to protecting our local trails, forests, and waterways, ensuring Allegany County remains a sanctuary for both residents and visitors.”
Source“Supporting Small Business and the Entrepreneurial Spirit Working to create business incentives to attract new business to the region and creating better initiatives for existing business to prosper in the existing business climate.”
Source