The Gist
Home

County

County Commissioner, St. Mary's County

District 3

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

What this office does: A county commissioner is one of the board members who pass the county budget, set tax rates, adopt local ordinances and oversee county government.

CandidatesCompare by issue

John O'Connor

Republican

The gist

No documented position found.

More about John
Photo of Mike Alderson, Jr.
Mike Alderson, Jr.Official portrait — Maryland Manual On-Line (Maryland State Archives)

Mike Alderson, Jr.

UnaffiliatedIncumbent

St. Mary's County commissioner; project manager

The gist

  • Supports recruiting and retaining emergency services staff.
  • Supports broader dual enrollment for career-bound students.
  • Supports building more small single-family homes.
  • Voted against the county business excise tax.
  • Opposes data centers and more cannabis grow facilities.
  • Supports expanding Right to Farm Act protections.
More about Mike
View sources (1)

  1. Supports recruiting and retaining emergency services staff.

    Issues

    Campaign website · Alderson For BOCC · aldersonforbocc.com

    “an emphasis on strengthening our Department of Emergency Services through Recruiting, Retention through Retirement”

  2. Supports broader dual enrollment for career-bound students.

    Issues

    Campaign website · Alderson For BOCC · aldersonforbocc.com

    “Work to increase the scope of the dual enrollment facet of the Blueprint to be more inclusive of our students that are pursuing careers”

  3. Supports building more small single-family homes.

    Issues

    Campaign website · Alderson For BOCC · aldersonforbocc.com

    “Collaborate with local builders to increase the small single family home inventory.”

  4. Voted against the county business excise tax.

    Issues

    Campaign website · Alderson For BOCC · aldersonforbocc.com

    “Modify and/or eliminate the business excise tax on small, local businesses. I voted against the county excise tax specifically for this reason.”

  5. Opposes data centers and more cannabis grow facilities.

    Issues

    Campaign website · Alderson For BOCC · aldersonforbocc.com

    “updating the comprehensive zoning ordinance (CZO) to ensure that we keep data centers out and to fight the state pressure for more cannabis grow facilities”

  6. Supports expanding Right to Farm Act protections.

    Issues

    Campaign website · Alderson For BOCC · aldersonforbocc.com

    “I will support adding provisions to the Right to Farm Act to provide more protections for the keepers of our shared rural legacy.”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.