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County Commissioner · District 3 · 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 raceJoshua Kyte is a St. Mary’s County resident and IT professional who has lived in the county for nearly 40 years, attending local schools and working in information technology for businesses and the Navy at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He is running for County Commissioner for District Three to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, thoughtful planning for growth, and preservation of the county’s quality of life. Kyte emphasizes strong schools, local small business support, public safety, and fiscal transparency while opposing data centers in the county. He advocates for community involvement and protecting the county for current and future generations.
Sources: Campaign website
I’m running to ensure that St. Mary’s County stays on the right path, not just for today, but for generations to come.
Source: electjoshuakyte.com
Growth
Growth of St. Mary’s County isn’t the problem. Poorly planned growth is. Planning decisions should be debated, studied, and include sufficient public input.
“Growth of St. Mary’s County isn’t the problem. Poorly planned growth is. Planning decisions should be debated, studied, and include sufficient public input.”
Education
Strong schools lead to strong local economies; invest in teachers, social workers, and support staff to retain talent and secure the future.
“Strong schools lead to strong local economies. By preparing our students with real-life skills and connecting them with local businesses, we can retain talent and secure a more stable future for St. Mary’s County. Investing in our schools is an investment in the future of St. Mary’s County.”
Data Centers
Data centers are not needed; they strain roadways, increase pollution and resource consumption, and do not create enough local jobs.
“Data centers aren’t needed here in St. Mary’s County. They heavily strain our roadways and contribute to pollution and over-consumption of power and water. Introducing them to the county fails to create enough local jobs. It isn’t even a topic we should consider. No data centers in St. Mary’s County!”
Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency
Elected officials must clearly define community needs and keep residents informed about projects and funding.
“As elected officials, it is the responsibility of the County Commissioners to act in the best interests of the county. That means clearly defining the needs of our community, its residents, and the businesses that help support us all, while ensuring our residents remain informed about projects and funding.”
Local Economy and Jobs
Support small businesses that hire locally and keep money in the community rather than large corporations that may not.
“To sustain our local economy, we must first look to our small businesses. These business owners live here, hire locally, and keep money in our community. It’s true that big corporations have money, but ask yourself whether that money stays local or if it leaves our county. I believe it is a better investment to foster our own businesses that directly support St. Mary’s County.”
Public Safety
Public safety requires advance planning and support for first responders and sound infrastructure decisions.
“Public safety isn’t an issue that you address after it’s too late; it’s something that is best considered and planned for well in advance. By supporting our first responders – police, firefighters, and EMTs – and making sound decisions about growth and infrastructure, we can keep our communities safe now and into the future.”
“Growth of St. Mary’s County isn’t the problem. Poorly planned growth is.”
Source“Strong schools lead to strong local economies.”
Source“Data centers aren’t needed here in St. Mary’s County.”
Source“As elected officials, it is the responsibility of the County Commissioners to act in the best interests of the county.”
Source“To sustain our local economy, we must first look to our small businesses.”
Source