COUNTY GOVERNMENT MATTERS MOST

  

The transformation of Washington County into a jurisdiction where only Republicans win county elections is now complete. Since January of 2020, when Republican Nick Sherman replaced Democrat Harlon Shober in the Commissioner’s office, only the minority Democratic Commissioner, Larry Maggi, has been assured of winning an election with a “D” before his name. Several lifelong Democrats have actually switched party affiliation in an attempt to run for or remain in office.

This trend is not unique to Washington County. WESA Voting Matters, an initiative to provide nonpartisan, independent elections journalism for southwestern Pennsylvania, has published studies showing that the Democrats’ registration advantage over Republicans has rapidly declined following the presidential campaigns that elected Barack Obama. In March 2021, there were 630,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans in Pennsylvania. In October 2024, this difference was cut in half to around 300,000.

The story in Western Pennsylvania has featured white working-class voters becoming Republicans in droves. As in Washington County, Beaver, Fayette, and Westmoreland Republican registrations have pulled ahead of Democrats. 

Republican leaders would argue that they have been successful because of Trump’s message that his party represents “the people” with his policies to close the borders and bring back domestic manufacturing. However, in county elections, unlike national and state campaigns, there are no position papers, party platforms, candidate debates, or media reporting to disclose the intentions of the candidates. Often, voters are only bombarded with the same overused campaign slogans like “low taxes” and “transparency.”  

It is too convenient to vote for a local candidate based only on party affiliation.

Many voters have registered as Republicans based on national issues. We have witnessed that national/state elections have almost identical results as our county election, even though the candidate qualifications and local issues are widely disparate. Voters need to do their due diligence before voting “straight party” in county elections.

This commentary will not present a plan for Washington Democrats to win back county government. In the coming election cycles, such a strategy would not succeed. However, regardless of a voter’s registration, it is important that competent officials be elected to address the fundamental tasks of local government.

In my view in recent election cycles, local Republican voters have made ill- informed decisions in primary elections on who should represent them. With local party dominance comes voter responsibility. It is irresponsible to simply vote for anyone supported by the local Republican party. For example, when voting for the controller or the sheriff, the voter inquiry should center on financial experience or on law enforcement background, not on Republican party connections.

How is local governance different from what occurs on the state or national level? It is decision making closest to home. It affects the everyday immediate surroundings and well-being of the community. In many ways, it is the engine that keeps the community running.

What do well-informed residents need to know? First, voters should review county publications, attend public meetings, and be familiar with job descriptions to gain an understanding of the key areas of local governance. Local finance, public safety, parks and recreation, zoning and land use are topics that affect us all. Understanding each function and who is responsible is critical.

Second, voters need to review the qualifications of local candidates. Normally, this critical decision-making would occur during the Republican primary. This year’s November general election for county controller is an exception. To provide some background, on October 2, 2024, Heather Sheatler, a Republican, was appointed by the Republican Commissioners and sworn in as Washington County’s acting controller. Sheatler had worked in the county controller’s office for 22 years and most recently served as deputy controller. Prior to the recent primary, Sheatler invoked the ire of the Republican Commissioners by doing her job and challenging their movement of federal grant funds into an unauthorized checking account.

The Republican Commissioners supported an alternative candidate, Pat Philips, who won the primary. Sheatler came in second place in the Republican primary but a write-in campaign gave her the Democratic nomination. There will be no better opportunity for Republicans to set aside party designation on the November ballot and to study the credentials of two registered Republicans. Voters are being asked to cast ballots for the most qualified “Republican” controller candidate to be the guardian of local public funds.

What are the responsibilities of local officials regarding citizen input, transparency and the status of public projects? County officials are the closest elected representatives to the voters. Whenever possible, citizens should be afforded an opportunity to weigh in on decision making. Voters should be well informed so they can hold their elected officials accountable.

 

In a commentary several weeks ago, I pointed out that Washington County was awarded an unprecedented, once-in-a-lifetime, $98 million in federal pandemic funds. Our Republican Commissioners did not seek input from the public on how the money should be utilized. There were no updates or briefings on projects and expenditures. There has been no final accounting.

Every voter and taxpayer, regardless of party affiliation, should be offended by this lack of transparency and unwillingness to seek out the public’s suggestions.

High quality, local officials and citizen engagement combine to make county government run effectively. I urge local Republicans to elect officials based on merit, values, concrete articulated policies, and their willingness to interact with the public. In our everyday lives, county government is what matters most.