Oct 21, 2023 8 min read

The upcoming general election on Nov. 7 is nearly two weeks away, and it will decide which party controls the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

The decision by longtime Republican county Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan to retire at the end of her term this year has left an open seat on the board, with two incumbents running and two challengers trying to fill the void.

Republican Commissioner Nick Sherman is running with Electra Janis, while Democratic Commissioner Larry Maggi is running with Cindy Fisher.

Just like in the primary, the Observer-Reporter asked each candidate to provide emailed responses to two questions.

Question 1: What are the biggest issues facing Washington County over the next four years, and how will you address them?

Question 2: What will you do to spur economic grown and business opportunities to increase the county’s population and tax base?

Their responses, along with biographical information about each candidate, are below. They are in order of how they will appear on the ballot.

Larry Maggi

Party: Democratic

Age: 73

Residence: Buffalo Township

Occupation: Washington County commissioner

The biggest concern facing Washington County is controlling county spending and keeping taxes low. When I was Chair of the County Commissioners, our spending was low, which kept taxes low. Now, I am in the minority as commissioner and have fought against increasing our county budget by $100 million, purchasing a new county building for $10 million (well over what it was worth) and hiring a significant number of new employees … all funded by the taxpayers. We now have a spending problem in Washington County, and we cannot keep this up without raising taxes. I am committed to keeping taxes low, but I am only one voice. County taxpayers, including me, are very concerned with the current spending problem created by my fellow Commissioner and opponent and we will be “paying the tab” in the near future if his spending does not stop.

We need to first get back to the premise that government does not create jobs, businesses create jobs. But what Washington County government can do is create an environment that encourages companies to locate here or local businesses to expand here. That starts with keeping taxes low to entice new business investment, providing our local people, especially students, with training for jobs employers need and working with small businesses to realize their full potential. To do that, we need to partner with such groups as unions, businesses, schools, trade groups, and non-profits to learn from them how to remove barriers, reduce red-tape and how to work together to grow their business, create jobs and grow our economy. We want to grow smartly and keep our country charm.

Cindy Fisher

Party: Democratic

Age: 43

Residence: Cecil Township

Occupation: Chair of Cecil Township Board of Supervisors

The biggest concern facing Washington County is the out of control spending of county government coupled with continued population loss. Over the past four years, our county budget has increased by $100 million and our population growth has now flat-lined and even projected to decrease by 10% in the coming years. We cannot sustain more wasteful spending while at the same time our population is declining. As commissioner, my short-term plan will be to control spending by performance-based budgeting of county departments combined with a long-term marketing plan working with schools, businesses and parents to focus on showing local students the career opportunities already available here, provide training for those jobs and then encouraging them to start their life and career close to home in Washington County.

Every candidate in this commissioners’ race, including me, will tell you that they are for creating more jobs. But the real issue is that we have employers in Washington County already creating good jobs, but lack qualified people to fill them. I have met with countless small and large business owners over the past year and their biggest concern is workforce. We cannot attract or grow local businesses if we do not have a local and qualified workforce ready for them to hire. As commissioner, I want to join forces with our business community, unions, trades, schools, parents and students to identify what positions are needed and connect students with those employers for local jobs. We also need to support students by saying that whatever career path they choose, be it trade school, college, manufacturing, agriculture, service, mechanics, energy, or other meaningful work, that their skills are valued and we want you here.

Nick Sherman

Party: Republican

Age: 44

Residence: North Strabane Township

Occupation: Washington County commissioner

The biggest issues facing Washington County are parallel to our most pressing national issues, which includes: delivering enhanced services to seniors and underserved youth. Creating new avenues for economic development while providing unwavering support to the businesses and industries that have been integral to our communities for generations. In tandem with economic development we must do better at retaining and training a workforce to fill the jobs of today and be equipped to tackle the jobs of tomorrow. And providing ongoing support for our first responders, who play a crucial role in keeping our community safe. There is no greater responsibility when in elected office than ensuring the safety of our residents.

I will continue focusing on reducing regulatory barriers and tax burdens to create a business-friendly environment that attracts entrepreneurs and corporations. By investing in infrastructure, workforce development, and technology, we can enhance the county’s appeal to businesses. Moreover, I will support local businesses and industries by encouraging retention and expansion. Promoting tourism, quality of life, and innovation will also further attract new residents and companies to bolster our economy. As our community investments grow to meet the needs of an expanding population with better employment opportunities, I will collaborate with developers to ensure the viability of our housing markets. Lastly, I will continue to prioritize public safety because supporting the growth of our business community and tax base means outwardly protecting that Washington County is a safe place that people and businesses want to come to and lay down roots.

Electra Janis

Party: Republican

Age: 27

Residence: Peters Township

Occupation: District office manager

As commissioner I will prioritize lower taxes, diverse economic growth and improved human services in our county. I am committed to attracting new businesses to our area and leveraging the potential of the Southern Beltway to create opportunities for commerce and job growth. Jobs only can grow with people, so enhancing our human services is another key priority of mine so we can properly address the needs of the people in Washington County. These initiatives are all underscored by my commitment to lower taxes. Our county doesn’t suffer from a revenue problem; we have a spending problem. I support smarter decisions when it comes to maximizing the resources we currently have available. Like utilizing federal dollars for actual long-term growth – not pet projects. By doing so, we can harness these funds to not only keep our taxes low for decades to come.

The energy sector has played a pivotal role in shaping Pennsylvania’s economy and contributing significantly to our nation’s energy independence. It has not only bolstered our standing in the world but it has also had far-reaching local economic implications. It’s imperative that we continue to support and foster this vital industry. The presence of a robust energy sector can spark a ripple effect, attracting various businesses from retail to manufacturing and service industries. This symbiotic relationship between energy production and local commerce can create a dynamic ecosystem of economic growth. This means creating opportunities for local businesses, generating employment, and enhancing the overall quality of life for our residents. Our energy resources can serve as a foundation upon which we can build a prosperous and sustainable future for our county and our fellow residents.