Washington County faces real challenges. But too often, our County Commission manages symptoms instead of addressing root causes. As a healthcare worker, I know that approach doesn't work—and it won't work for our community either.
Here's what I'll fight for as your County Commissioner:
Economic Security for Working Families
30% of Washington County families work full-time but can't afford basic needs.
— Washington County Mental Health Authority
The Problem:
Nearly 30% of Washington County families are ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are people working full-time who still can't afford housing, childcare, healthcare, or basic necessities.
My Solution:
√ Attract employers with family-sustaining wages—not just any jobs, but careers that allow people to build stable lives
√ Support small business growth—local businesses are the backbone of our economy
√ Strategic economic development—invest in industries and infrastructure that create opportunity, not stagnation
√ Workforce development programs—connect residents to training and careers in growing sectors
Restore 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response Team
Mental health crises don't happen on a schedule.
People have breakdowns at 2am.
Overdoses happen on weekends. Families need help at midnight on Saturday—not Monday at 9am.
The Problem:
Washington County used to have around-the-clock mental health crisis response—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When funding was lost, the current County Commission let the program collapse to Monday-Friday, 9-5 coverage only.
What Happened:
❌ BEFORE: 24/7 crisis response available around the clock
❌ NOW: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm only
❌ RESULT: People in crisis have nowhere to turn outside business hours
My Solution:
√ Restore 24/7 crisis response services—work with healthcare providers, nonprofits, and the state to rebuild what we lost
√ Increase county investment in mental health and substance abuse treatment
√ Coordinate with Meritus Health and other providers for seamless crisis care
√ Expand access to treatment and recovery services—because recovery is possible when people get the help they need
Address Homelessness Through Affordability
The affordability crisis is the root cause of homelessness.
When 30% of families can't afford basic necessities despite working full-time, we're one crisis away from widespread housing instability.
The Problem:
Homelessness in Washington County isn't primarily caused by addiction or moral failure—it's caused by a lack of affordable housing. Working families are one emergency away from losing their homes.
We can't shelter our way out of this crisis. We need to address why people become homeless in the first place.
The Real Cause:
Housing costs have risen faster than wages. ALICE families—30% of our county—are one car repair, one medical bill, one missed paycheck away from crisis.
My Solution:
√ Expand transitional housing programs—bridge the gap between emergency shelter and permanent housing
√ Support affordable housing development—work with developers and nonprofits to increase supply
√ Prevent homelessness before it happens—emergency assistance programs, rental assistance, eviction prevention
√ Coordinate services—ensure people get wraparound support (housing + mental health + employment)
A County Government That Works for Everyone
Washington County residents deserve commissioners who show up, listen, and actually solve problems—not just manage them.
The Problem:
Too often, county government feels disconnected from the people it serves. Decisions are made without input, problems are ignored, and working families are left behind.
My Solution:
√ Regular community forums—I'll hold town halls across the county to hear directly from residents
√ Transparent budgeting—taxpayers deserve to know how their money is spent
√ Responsive leadership—I'll return calls, answer emails, and show up when it matters
√ Bipartisan collaboration—I'll work with anyone who wants to solve problems, regardless of party
Why I'm Different
I'm not a career politician
I'm a healthcare worker who sees problems and wants to fix them—for real, not just for show.
I bring a healthcare perspective
In my work, I've learned that treating symptoms doesn't work. You have to address root causes. County government should work the same way.
I'll listen before I lead
The best solutions come from the people who live here, work here, and raise families here. My job is to listen and act on what I hear.
I'll work for everyone
Whether you voted for me or not, whether you're in Hagerstown or a rural community, I'll show up and do the work.