County

County Commissioner, Howard County

District 1

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The three county commissioners are Howard County's executive: they manage county property, roads and bridges, sign contracts and pass ordinances.

Candidates Compare by issue

Lisa Washington

Democratic

Registered nurse

The gist

Supports returning vacant properties to the tax rolls
Supports the county's solar ordinance and renewable energy
Supports addressing food deserts, transportation and mental health
Supports workforce partnerships with local colleges and schools

More about Lisa

View sources (1)

Supports returning vacant properties to the tax rolls
Know your candidates: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · Kokomo Tribune · Nov 2, 2022 · kokomotribune.com
“return vacant or under used properties back to the tax rolls”
Supports the county's solar ordinance and renewable energy
Know your candidates: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · Kokomo Tribune · Nov 2, 2022 · kokomotribune.com
“Howard County's Solar Ordinance will help meet the community need for renewable energy”
Supports addressing food deserts, transportation and mental health
Know your candidates: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · Kokomo Tribune · Nov 2, 2022 · kokomotribune.com
“many factors that will affect this issue such as food desserts, transportation and mental health”
Supports workforce partnerships with local colleges and schools
Know your candidates: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · Kokomo Tribune · Nov 2, 2022 · kokomotribune.com
“the partnership that has been established with local colleges and school systems to provide the capital of people for workforce development”

Jeffrey Lipinski

RepublicanIncumbent

Howard County commissioner (District 1)

The gist

Pledges to finish the new jail on time and budget
Pledges help for the county's failing sewer districts
Supported a data center moratorium to study water and power
Supports hiring local contractors to build the new jail

More about Jeffrey

View sources (2)

Pledges to finish the new jail on time and budget
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Top Priority is build and finish the new jail on time and budget.”
Pledges help for the county's failing sewer districts
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Other priorities would be helping aging sewer districts in the county that are failing.”
Supported a data center moratorium to study water and power
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Howard County Commissioner District 1
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We listened to the people and did a moratorium to try to get information on water usage and electricity usage and rates.”
Supports hiring local contractors to build the new jail
State of the County event focuses on new jail project
News coverage · Kokomo Tribune · Apr 17, 2026 · kokomotribune.com
“Lipinski strongly emphasized the county's desire to work with local contractors.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.