County

Berkeley County Commission

Vote for: 2
Term: 6 years
Candidates: 3
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The county commission adopts the county budget, sets the county levy, oversees county offices and hears estate and election matters.

Two seats, elected countywide; not more than one resident of any magisterial district may be elected.

Candidates Compare by issue

Z. Lansdowne

Democratic

Martinsburg (Norborne District)

The gist

Opposes county leaders' handling of proposed data centers.
Supports joining a lawsuit against the state's data center law.

More about Z.

View sources (1)

Opposes county leaders' handling of proposed data centers.
Democratic hopefuls talk data centers, education and infrastructure in impromptu panel
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Jul 15, 2026 · journal-news.net
“They've lost their connection with the people”
Supports joining a lawsuit against the state's data center law.
Democratic hopefuls talk data centers, education and infrastructure in impromptu panel
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Jul 15, 2026 · journal-news.net
“Lansdowne said she would support Berkeley County joining a lawsuit challenging House Bill 2014 if elected.”

Eddie Gochenour

RepublicanIncumbent

Berkeley County Commission President · Gerrardstown (Norborne District)

The gist

Supports more investment in public safety as the county grows.
Supports sending the county's recommendations to data center developers.
Supports impact fees that do not hinder commercial growth.
Voted to merge the ambulance authority into county EMS.In office
Voted to oppose the Valley Link North transmission line.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Eddie

View sources (5)

Supports more investment in public safety as the county grows.
Gochenour, Whitacre win Republican nomination to keep seats on Berkeley County Commission despite close fight
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · May 12, 2026 · journal-news.net
“argued continued growth required additional investments in public safety and water infrastructure”
Supports sending the county's recommendations to data center developers.
Berkeley County Commission discusses review process (or lack thereof) for incoming data centers
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Jul 9, 2026 · journal-news.net
“I think we do not want to pass up the opportunity to protect our neighbors.”
Supports impact fees that do not hinder commercial growth.
Berkeley County takes a look at impact fees a year since passing
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Jun 19, 2026 · journal-news.net
“there is an opportunity there to come in with a fee that is acceptable and doesn't hinder commercial growth”
Voted to merge the ambulance authority into county EMS.
Berkeley County dissolves ambulance board into unified county emergency department
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Aug 13, 2026 · journal-news.net
“I think the timing of it is right, and it should be absolutely seamless with services.”
Voted to oppose the Valley Link North transmission line.
Berkeley County Commission publicly opposes Valley Link North transmission line
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Aug 7, 2026 · journal-news.net
“This is real. I think it's a negative impact on this community.”

James "Jim" Whitacre

RepublicanIncumbent

Berkeley County Commissioner; contractor · Martinsburg (Shenandoah District)

The gist

Supports development impact fees to manage county growth.
Opposes special planning treatment for data center developers.
Voted to oppose the Valley Link North transmission line.In office
Voted to merge the ambulance authority into county EMS.In office
Voted to adopt the county's new Capital Improvement Plan.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about James

View sources (5)

Supports development impact fees to manage county growth.
Gochenour, Whitacre win Republican nomination to keep seats on Berkeley County Commission despite close fight
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · May 12, 2026 · journal-news.net
“Whitacre has worked on issues tied to county growth, including development impact fees and emergency services funding”
Opposes special planning treatment for data center developers.
Berkeley County Commission discusses review process (or lack thereof) for incoming data centers
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Jul 9, 2026 · journal-news.net
“Both Commissioners Jim Whitacre and H.D. Boyd agreed with Hardy.”
Voted to oppose the Valley Link North transmission line.
Berkeley County Commission publicly opposes Valley Link North transmission line
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Aug 7, 2026 · journal-news.net
“The Berkeley County Commission has unanimously approved a resolution firmly opposing the planned Valley Link North Transmission Line”
Voted to merge the ambulance authority into county EMS.
Berkeley County dissolves ambulance board into unified county emergency department
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Aug 13, 2026 · journal-news.net
“The Berkeley County Commission unanimously approved the transition, which will create the Berkeley County Department of Emergency Medical Services.”
Voted to adopt the county's new Capital Improvement Plan.
Berkeley County takes a look at impact fees a year since passing
News coverage · The Journal (Martinsburg) · Jun 19, 2026 · journal-news.net
“The commissioners moved unanimously to adopt the new Capital Improvement Plan.”

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.