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

Taxes & budget

Michael BibbDemocratic
No documented position found.
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
- Supports easing the tax burden on homeowners, especially seniors
Marvin FosterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
- Pledges to protect taxpayers while funding public safety
Frank GunsallusRepublican
- Pledges to cut waste and reduce the tax burden
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
No documented position found.
Wade StricklandRepublican
No documented position found.
Pete LesherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
No documented position found.
Dave SteppRepublican
- Supports keeping property and income taxes low

Public safety

Michael BibbDemocratic
No documented position found.
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Marvin FosterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
No documented position found.
Frank GunsallusRepublican
- Pledges to prioritize funding for sheriff and first responders
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
- Supports a narcotics crackdown focused on fentanyl
Wade StricklandRepublican
- Supports zero tolerance for illegal drug distributors
- Opposes Maryland's current cannabis laws and their enforcement
Pete LesherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
- Supports working with the sheriff's office on drug enforcement
Dave SteppRepublican
- Supports law enforcement as first line against drug epidemic

Education

Michael BibbDemocratic
No documented position found.
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
- Supports funding strong public schools
Marvin FosterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
No documented position found.
Frank GunsallusRepublican
No documented position found.
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
- Pledges to make improving county schools a priority
Wade StricklandRepublican
No documented position found.
Pete LesherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
No documented position found.
Dave SteppRepublican
No documented position found.

Housing

Michael BibbDemocratic
- Supports partnerships to expand attainable housing for workers
- Supports stronger short-term rental enforcement and inspections
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
- Pledges to prioritize affordability and more housing options
Marvin FosterDemocratic
- Supports partnerships for responsible workforce housing
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
- Supports incentives for mixed-income housing and inclusionary zoning
Frank GunsallusRepublican
- Supports directing new housing to towns, not rural areas
- Supports easing reuse of empty buildings and vacant lots
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
- Supports cutting regulatory barriers that raise housing costs
Wade StricklandRepublican
- Supports requiring affordable housing in development plans
Pete LesherDemocratic
- Proposes a fund to offset impact fees for affordable housing
- Supports offering county-owned land for new housing
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
- Supports a county role backing municipalities' growth
Dave SteppRepublican
- Supports limiting large housing growth to designated growth areas

Economy & jobs

Michael BibbDemocratic
- Supports expanding vocational and technical education
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Marvin FosterDemocratic
- Supports small businesses, tourism and local careers
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
- Supports attracting employers who pay living wages
Frank GunsallusRepublican
- Supports cutting red tape for small businesses
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
- Supports streamlined permitting and small business support
Wade StricklandRepublican
- Supports recruiting manufacturing and technology employers
Pete LesherDemocratic
- Supports funding Talbot's Business Academy for entrepreneurs
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
- Pledges to look out for the business community
Dave SteppRepublican
No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

Michael BibbDemocratic
- Supports slowing county growth until infrastructure improves
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Marvin FosterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
- Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas
Frank GunsallusRepublican
No documented position found.
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
No documented position found.
Wade StricklandRepublican
- Supports working with state partners on traffic congestion
Pete LesherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
No documented position found.
Dave SteppRepublican
No documented position found.

Environment & parks

Michael BibbDemocratic
- Supports grants to fight shoreline and farmland erosion
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
- Supports preventing sprawl and sustaining local farming
Marvin FosterDemocratic
No documented position found.
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
No documented position found.
Frank GunsallusRepublican
No documented position found.
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
No documented position found.
Wade StricklandRepublican
No documented position found.
Pete LesherDemocratic
- Supports extending sewer to rural areas with failing septics
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
No documented position found.
Dave SteppRepublican
No documented position found.

Health & human services

Michael BibbDemocratic
No documented position found.
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Marvin FosterDemocratic
- Supports recovery services and youth programs against drug abuse
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
- Supports expanding drug treatment and recovery services
Frank GunsallusRepublican
No documented position found.
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
- Supports expanding addiction treatment and mental health services
Wade StricklandRepublican
No documented position found.
Pete LesherDemocratic
- Supports spending cannabis taxes and opioid settlements on prevention, treatment
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
No documented position found.
Dave SteppRepublican
No documented position found.

Government & transparency

Michael BibbDemocratic
No documented position found.
Susan E. Delean-BotkinDemocratic
No documented position found.
Marvin FosterDemocratic
- Pledges to prioritize accountability in county government
Brian R. NaranjoDemocratic
No documented position found.
Frank GunsallusRepublican
No documented position found.
Christian MacKendrickRepublican
No documented position found.
Wade StricklandRepublican
No documented position found.
Pete LesherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Chuck F. Callahan, IIIRepublican
No documented position found.
Dave SteppRepublican
- Pledges to protect residents' 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.