Dear Voter,
updated 26 March 2026
I’m Dave Williams, candidate for Washington County Commissioner, and I’m asking for your vote.
Four years ago, I was one of two Democrats who stepped up to run against five Republicans for commissioner. By running, I was able to offer a choice to voters looking for change.
Today, I’m proud to be among the six remaining candidates running to break the Republican hold on the Board of County Commissioners - five Democrats and one Independent.
From eight to five Democrat candidates
I say “remaining candidates” because three of the eight Democrats who filed to run for commissioner have decided to withdraw from the race:
Samuel Briskin
Chris Keane
Patrick Kirby
Their decision to end their campaigns came after the official March 6 withdrawal deadline, so even though they decided to drop out of the race, their names will still appear on the primary ballot. Democrat voters will still need to pick the five candidates they want in the general election from a list of eight names. Please, only support the five remaining active candidates and mark your ballot for:
Jonathan Fish
Les McIntosh, Sr.
Teri Pailen
Lara A. Shepherd
Dave Williams
Taj Smith is running for commissioner as an Independent candidate and will not appear on the primary ballot. If she collects enough signatures on her candidacy petition she’ll be on the general election ballot.
History
It’s been twenty years since there were enough candidates for a Democratic primary in a commissioner race.
In 2006, there were twelve Democrats on the primary ballot. One went on to win in the general election and served four years as a county commissioner. Since then, election after election after election, all five seats on the Board of Commissioners have been held by Republicans.
Over the years, it came to seem like the Republican primary determined who our county leaders would be. Five Republicans elected in a primary by less than half our county’s registered voters became commissioners. For many disillusioned Democrat and Independent voters, the general election was just a formality, so why vote?
That ends this year.
Time for change
This year, Democrats, Independents, and thoughtful Republicans looking for change will have a full list of candidates to choose from in November. There’ll be six strong alternatives to the Republican status quo on the ballot: five Democrats and one Independent.
Over the last twenty years the Republican commissioners have become complacent and close-minded to any ideas outside the Republican bubble.
Today, they’re comfortable not talking about important issues and even more comfortable not listening to the citizens they represent.
Questions to commissioners are unanswered or passed off to staff for canned, unresponsive replies.
The commissioners continue their step-by-step attack on our first amendment rights, first by controlling camera angles in public meetings; then limiting, hiding, and finally eliminating public comment completely; and now, when our only way to directly communicate with the commissioners during a public meeting is to hold up signs, they proclaim that each person can only have one sign.
Procedural rules like this appear out of nowhere without notice, without discussion, and without a vote.
They make decisions and pass resolutions with no explanation and no public discussion.
At budget time, some groups coming before the commissioners seem compelled to thank them for past funding regardless of that level of funding, not only out of gratitude, but because they’ve realized it’s expected. There’s fear that appearing ungrateful might impact future funding. Responsible budget decisions don’t require deference, and groups should be free to present budget requests that reflect true needs without fear of negative consequences.
Things must change.
Our country is ready for change. Our county is ready for change.
Vote!
The change begins on June 11 when early voting for the primary begins and continues through the general election on November 3.
Democrats must come out to vote. This is not the time to stand back and stand by. This is the time to stand up and speak out. Speak out by marking your ballot and casting your vote.
A large Democratic turnout in June will show Independent and unaffiliated voters, who can only vote for school board in the primary, and disenchanted Democrats who chose not to vote in the primary, that change is possible. Their vote will matter. They are instrumental in making a difference in November.
Then, let’s all speak out in November as Democrats, Independents, and thoughtful Republicans come together to elect five new county commissioners.
I’m asking for your help to be elected as one of those new commissioners to make sure change happens, that transparency, free speech, and responsive government returns to Washington County.
Sincerely,
