County

County Council Member, Talbot County

Vote for: 5
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 10
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county council member votes on county laws, the budget, taxes and land-use decisions.

The council's five members are elected countywide. Susan E. Delean-Botkin was designated by the Democratic Central Committee on August 3, 2026, after Christopher Armstrong withdrew (SBE candidate list).

Candidates Compare by issue

Michael Bibb

Democratic

The gist

Supports partnerships to expand attainable housing for workers
Supports expanding vocational and technical education
Supports slowing county growth until infrastructure improves
Supports grants to fight shoreline and farmland erosion
Supports stronger short-term rental enforcement and inspections

More about Michael

View sources (1)

Supports partnerships to expand attainable housing for workers
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Foster collaborative partnerships with developers, investors, and state, federal, and local agencies to explore and implement solutions that expand attainable housing opportunities”
Supports expanding vocational and technical education
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Expand vocational and technical education for students and adult learners to create a skilled, job-ready workforce”
Supports slowing county growth until infrastructure improves
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We need to slow county growth until infrastructure improvements are made”
Supports grants to fight shoreline and farmland erosion
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“The county should partner with agencies to assist these groups in obtaining grants for prevention/improvements to shoreline and farmland erosion.”
Supports stronger short-term rental enforcement and inspections
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Short-term rental program requires better enforcement, licensing, inspection and investigations into complaints and issues.”

Susan E. Delean-Botkin

Democratic

Family nurse practitioner

The gist

Pledges to prioritize affordability and more housing options
Supports preventing sprawl and sustaining local farming
Supports easing the tax burden on homeowners, especially seniors
Supports funding strong public schools

More about Susan

View sources (1)

Pledges to prioritize affordability and more housing options
Team Talbot: Talbot County Council 2026 candidates
Campaign website · Talbot County Democratic Central Committee · teamtalbot.org
“Team Talbot candidates will make affordability and expanding housing options a priority.”
Supports preventing sprawl and sustaining local farming
Team Talbot: Talbot County Council 2026 candidates
Campaign website · Talbot County Democratic Central Committee · teamtalbot.org
“We must prevent sprawl and sustain our local farming economy”
Supports easing the tax burden on homeowners, especially seniors
Team Talbot: Talbot County Council 2026 candidates
Campaign website · Talbot County Democratic Central Committee · teamtalbot.org
“easing the burden on homeowners—especially seniors and others at risk of being priced out of their homes”
Supports funding strong public schools
Team Talbot: Talbot County Council 2026 candidates
Campaign website · Talbot County Democratic Central Committee · teamtalbot.org
“Team Talbot candidates will support strong public schools and responsible investment in our students.”

Marvin Foster

Democratic

The gist

Supports partnerships for responsible workforce housing
Supports small businesses, tourism and local careers
Supports recovery services and youth programs against drug abuse
Pledges to prioritize accountability in county government

More about Marvin

View sources (1)

Supports partnerships for responsible workforce housing
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“The county should work with builders, nonprofits, and community partners to support responsible workforce housing”
Supports small businesses, tourism and local careers
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Talbot County should focus on supporting small businesses, strengthening tourism, and creating opportunities for local workers to build careers here.”
Supports recovery services and youth programs against drug abuse
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“The county should continue supporting recovery services while investing in programs that help youth and families build healthier paths forward.”
Pledges to prioritize accountability in county government
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“My top priorities are accountability in county government”

Brian R. Naranjo

Democratic

The gist

Supports incentives for mixed-income housing and inclusionary zoning
Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas
Supports attracting employers who pay living wages
Supports expanding drug treatment and recovery services
Pledges to protect taxpayers while funding public safety

More about Brian

View sources (1)

Supports incentives for mixed-income housing and inclusionary zoning
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“partner with developers to incentivize mixed-income housing, streamline permitting for workforce units, and explore inclusionary zoning”
Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I support expanding broadband access to rural areas”
Supports attracting employers who pay living wages
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“attracting employers who offer living wages”
Supports expanding drug treatment and recovery services
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“The county must invest in prevention, expand access to treatment and recovery services”
Pledges to protect taxpayers while funding public safety
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“First, fiscal responsibility — protecting taxpayers while funding essential services like public safety.”

Frank Gunsallus

Republican

The gist

Supports directing new housing to towns, not rural areas
Supports easing reuse of empty buildings and vacant lots
Supports cutting red tape for small businesses
Pledges to prioritize funding for sheriff and first responders
Pledges to cut waste and reduce the tax burden

More about Frank

View sources (1)

Supports directing new housing to towns, not rural areas
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Most of our housing belongs in our towns, not the rural county.”
Supports easing reuse of empty buildings and vacant lots
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“make it easier for the private sector to improve empty buildings and vacant lots in areas where roads and power already exist”
Supports cutting red tape for small businesses
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Cutting the red tape that slows down our small businesses can keep Talbot affordable”
Pledges to prioritize funding for sheriff and first responders
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Funding for our Sheriff's Office and first responders is essential.”
Pledges to cut waste and reduce the tax burden
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will work to eliminate waste and reduce the tax burden on our working families, seniors, and employers.”

Christian MacKendrick

Republican

The gist

Supports cutting regulatory barriers that raise housing costs
Supports streamlined permitting and small business support
Supports a narcotics crackdown focused on fentanyl
Supports expanding addiction treatment and mental health services
Pledges to make improving county schools a priority

More about Christian

View sources (1)

Supports cutting regulatory barriers that raise housing costs
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers that drive up the costs”
Supports streamlined permitting and small business support
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Talbot County should encourage job growth by supporting small businesses, streamlining permitting”
Supports a narcotics crackdown focused on fentanyl
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“support our Sheriff and the Narcotics Task Force in cracking down on drug traffickers and dealers, with a primary focus on Fentanyl.”
Supports expanding addiction treatment and mental health services
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Expand access to treatment and mental health services, and invest in prevention for our youth”
Pledges to make improving county schools a priority
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“My priorities for Talbot County are improving our schools, strengthening our economy, and ensuring responsible infrastructure planning.”

Wade Strickland

Republican

The gist

Supports requiring affordable housing in development plans
Supports recruiting manufacturing and technology employers
Supports zero tolerance for illegal drug distributors
Opposes Maryland's current cannabis laws and their enforcement
Supports working with state partners on traffic congestion

More about Wade

View sources (1)

Supports requiring affordable housing in development plans
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Developers need to have affordable housing as part of their development plans.”
Supports recruiting manufacturing and technology employers
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“we can help the manufacturing and technology sectors decide to make Talbot County their home”
Supports zero tolerance for illegal drug distributors
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Our law enforcement and judiciary need to have a zero tolerance for distributors of these illegal narcotics”
Opposes Maryland's current cannabis laws and their enforcement
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I am not a fan of the liberal cannabis laws nor lack of enforcement regarding the same.”
Supports working with state partners on traffic congestion
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We need to work with our local and state partners to help alleviate traffic congestion.”

Pete Lesher

DemocraticIncumbent

The gist

Proposes a fund to offset impact fees for affordable housing
Supports offering county-owned land for new housing
Supports funding Talbot's Business Academy for entrepreneurs
Supports spending cannabis taxes and opioid settlements on prevention, treatment
Supports extending sewer to rural areas with failing septics

More about Pete

View sources (1)

Proposes a fund to offset impact fees for affordable housing
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“County government can create a fund to offset impact fees for new housing that meets affordability guidelines.”
Supports offering county-owned land for new housing
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“It can potentially make county-owned land available where infrastructure is adequate to support new housing.”
Supports funding Talbot's Business Academy for entrepreneurs
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We should continue to empower new entrepreneurs in our community by funding Talbot's Business Academy.”
Supports spending cannabis taxes and opioid settlements on prevention, treatment
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“strategically allocate funds from cannabis taxes and opioid settlements with a balance between prevention and treatment”
Supports extending sewer to rural areas with failing septics
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“improving stormwater management, upgrading sewer systems, and extending sewer to rural areas with failing septics”

Chuck F. Callahan, III

RepublicanIncumbent

Businessman

The gist

Supports a county role backing municipalities' growth
Supports working with the sheriff's office on drug enforcement
Pledges to look out for the business community

More about Chuck

View sources (1)

Supports a county role backing municipalities' growth
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“The County's job is to support municipalities on their growth and working with the economical development directors.”
Supports working with the sheriff's office on drug enforcement
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Working with local enforcement in the sheriffs office.”
Pledges to look out for the business community
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Looking out for the business community”

Dave Stepp

RepublicanIncumbent

The gist

Supports limiting large housing growth to designated growth areas
Supports keeping property and income taxes low
Supports law enforcement as first line against drug epidemic
Pledges to protect residents' rights and freedoms

More about Dave

View sources (1)

Supports limiting large housing growth to designated growth areas
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Any sizable increase in housing supply, no matter the affordability level, should be considered in the Comprehensive Plan's designated growth areas.”
Supports keeping property and income taxes low
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Keeping Talbot County property and income taxes low is paramount”
Supports law enforcement as first line against drug epidemic
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“We need to fully support our law enforcement and first responder community”
Pledges to protect residents' rights and freedoms
VOTE411 Voter Guide: Talbot County Council
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“protecting our citizen’s God-given rights and freedoms”

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; 9 issues covered in this race.