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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 raceLara A. Shepherd is a Democratic candidate running for Washington County Commissioner in the 2026 election cycle. According to her campaign social media profile, she grew up in the local community and raised her family there before deciding to run for office. She emphasizes her passion for Education, Community, and Safety as key drivers for her candidacy. External news reports confirm that she filed paperwork by the February 24 deadline alongside other Democratic candidates like Patrick Kirby and Teri Pailen. The filing process concluded in March 2026 with a total of 18 candidates vying for five seats on the Board of County Commissioners.
Education
She cares deeply about Education as a core value for the community.
“"She cares deeply about Education, Community, and Safety."”
Public Safety
Identifies Safety as a primary concern alongside education and community needs.
“"She cares deeply about Education, Community, and Safety."”
Government Ethics
Advocates for restoring public comment rights at Board of County Commissioners meetings to foster accountability.
“"Let's restore the right to public comment at the BOC meetings. Public comment fosters accountability."”
News articles from The Hancock News and Herald-Mail Media report that Shepherd filed as a Democrat for Washington County Commissioner in February 2026. She is listed among several candidates running to fill seats on the Board of County Commissioners, which includes incumbents seeking re-election and challengers due to vacancies left by resignations or non-filings. The coverage notes she is one of three Democratic Commission candidates alongside Patrick Kirby and Teri Pailen.