Home » Endorsement Process Participants (April 2026)

Endorsement Process Participants (April 2026)

To be considered for WCTA endorsement, local candidates must complete a questionnaire and then come to an interview with the WCTA-WCESP Endorsement Council organized by the WCTA Government Relations (GR) Committee.

Washington County Board of Education Primary Election

There are 3 seats on the nonpartisan ballot for WCBOE.

Here are the questionnaires from candidates who opted to participate in this process for consideration for election or re-election to the Board of Education:

    1. Linda Murray Questionnaire (Incumbent)
    2. Pieter Bickford Questionnaire and Pieter Bickford Bio
    3. Alina Chester Resume and Alina Chester Questionnaire
    4. Robin Merchant-Spickler Questionnaire
    5. Ethan Loewen Questionnaire

Washington County Commissioners Primary Election

There are 5 seats on the ballot for BOCC.

Here are the questionnaires from candidates who opted to participate in this process for consideration for election or re-election to the Board of County Commissioners:

  1. John Barr Questionnaire (Incumbent)
  2. Randy Leatherman Questionnaire (Incumbent)
  3. Jonathan Fish Questionnaire
  4. Les McIntosh Questionnaire
  5. Teri Pailen Questionnaire
  6. Curtis Reigh Resume and Curtis Reigh Questionnaire
  7. Lara Shepherd Questionnaire and Lara Shepherd Bio
  8. Taj Smith Resume and Taj Smith Questionnaire
  9. Dave Williams Questionnaire

Maryland State Primary Election

There are various regional races for delegates and senators who represent residents in Washington County, either in whole or with portions of other counties.  Endorsement for candidates in the state wide races is determined by the MSEA Endorsement Council following a process that is proportional to the electorates across the MSEA affiliates in the counties. For information about the candidates who earned the endorsements, go to
  1. Maryland House of Delegates District 2B candidates: Matthew Schindler (representing Hagerstown, so the endorsement recommendation is made by WCTA to MSEA.)
  2. Maryland House of Delegates District 2A candidates – no candidates submitted questionnaires
  3. Maryland House of Delegates District 1C candidate  (District 1 includes western Washington County as well as Allegany and Garrett counties) and must include input from all interested locals with any final recommendation by MSEA.
  4. Maryland State Senate District 1 candidates – District 1 includes western Washington County as well as Allegany and Garrett counties and must include input from all interested locals with any final recommendation by MSEA.
  5. Maryland State Senate District 2 candidates (District 2 consists of eastern and southern Washington County, including Hagerstown, and northern Frederick County.)
  6. Maryland Governor, Lt. Governor, Comptroller, and Attorney General Endorsements were approved at the Fall 2025 MSEA Representative Assembly – Governor Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Attorney General Anthony Brown, all incumbents, earned the MSEA endorsements to retain these seats.
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