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County Commissioner · District 4 · Worcester 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 raceSteve Green is a longtime Berlin resident and current Berlin Town Council member elected in 2022 representing District 1, who also serves as Executive Editor of OC Today-Dispatch newspaper. He announced his candidacy for Worcester County Commissioner in District 4 on February 25, 2026, seeking to unseat incumbent Commissioner Ted Elder who has served 12 years. Green initially filed as an Unaffiliated candidate but was informed by the Maryland State Board of Elections that independent candidates cannot run in primary elections and must complete a post-primary petition process for the general ballot. He refiled his candidacy on January 9, 2026 as a Republican while emphasizing he will continue working at OC Today-Dispatch regardless of election outcome.
Leadership Philosophy
Green emphasizes bringing a voice of reason rooted in public service and community experience with fresh leadership to District 4, advocating for thoughtful collaborative leadership that puts people first and approaches challenges with common sense.
“"I want to bring a voice of reason, rooted in public service and community experience, along with fresh leadership to District 4. I believe our district deserves thoughtful, collaborative leadership that puts people first and approaches challenges with common sense."”
Political Approach
Green states he is not interested in extremes and believes effective leadership lives in the middle, noting most issues are complex rather than black and white.
“"I am not interested in extremes. Passionate views are important, but I believe effective leadership lives in the middle. Most issues are complex, and very few are simply black and white."”
Party Affiliation
Green expressed he was excited to run as Unaffiliated because that best reflects who he is, but does not seek to align with one party or another when evaluating positions.
“"I was excited to run as an Unaffiliated candidate because that best reflects who I am. ... I look at each issue individually and do not seek to align with one party or another when evaluating a position."”
External news coverage describes Green as seeking higher office because he wants frustrated voters to know they have a real choice for change in District 4. He stated he was compelled to run based on social media interactions with commissioners who post disparaging comments about others without explanation. Editor and Publisher Stewart Dobson will assume all editing duties for county commissioner coverage while Green continues his newsroom role.
“He aims to continue serving as a voice for Berlin at the county level.”
Source“He was compelled to run for the seat, in part, based on social media interactions. He said in a statement he was most disgusted by comments some commissioners post to Facebook that disparage others and fail to explain.”
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