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Charles County Commissioner President

DUTIES: Charles County is governed by a board of five County Commissioners. Their duties include raising the revenues to fund the capital and operating budgets of county departments and agencies, providing for the public health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the county, adopting and updating the Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and overseeing the development process. The President presides at meetings and hearings of the Commissioners. The President is the only full-time position.TERM: Four years. Limited to two (2) consecutive or non-consecutive terms.SALARY: Effective Dec. 1, 2026, the commission president’s salary will be $66,117, and the county commissioners' salaries will be $54,555.HOW ELECTED: The president is elected at large by all voters in the county. The four district commissioners are elected by a plurality of voters in their district and must live in the district.

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    Joe Crawford
    (Rep)

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    Vontasha Romechia Simms
    (Dem)

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    Amanda Stewart
    (Dem)

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    Dyotha R. Sweat
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

BUDGET: What are your top three fiscal priorities for the County and why?

LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT: What specific policies will you support regarding preservation, future development, and necessary infrastructure?

ECONOMY: What three steps can the County take to best encourage economic development and job growth, and what steps will you take to implement them?

AFFORDABILITY: What specific steps will you take to make living in the County more affordable?

HOUSING: What actions will you take to ensure the availability of adequate workforce housing in the County?

QUALIFICATIONS: What else would you like the voters to know about you?

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Campaign Phone 2403006237
Campaign Instagram VoteSimms4CharlesCounty
Campaign Mailing Address 2635 Rooks Head Pl
Waldorf, MD 20602
Education , PHS , ED would be my too 3 if I had to choose . I would certainly address curriculum , MD Blueprint , reinvesting for educational fund , and community fund . Economic development to grow revenue , address livable wage , job growth . Public health brings , unity , wealth and longevity . Safe roads , hospitals , community liaisons. transportation , community parks , smart growth , sustainable living spaces , community gardens , and infrastructure . VoteSimms4CharlesCounty
Planning and Zoning text review and amendments , Smart Growth , Fair housing , The WCD with amendments , regulations on water usage and stripping lands , regulations data centers . Waterfront tourism zoned public spaces , area zoned tiny homes , multi dwellings , multi use spaces , community spaces and return of Aboriginal Indigenous American Indian Iands . Any future development by big business , developers , realtors , government , big polluters , etc . Must reinvest into a community .
Higher paying jobs into Charles County , ie federal , healthcare, high end businesses , technology , military , construction , etc . Charles County also needs to build waterfront tourism , a public access beach , renovation of the St Charles Town Center , incorporating of Waldorf and St Charles into one municipality , A Smart Growth Plan , Innovative Upscale Medical Center with shock trauma and crisis center , off road ATV / Dirk bike track , Arts & Entertainment .
Cap rent and land taxes, introduce homeownership programs. apply for more federal , state subsided housing programs and grants, livable wage , introduce community programs , providing childcare services for families in need , free lunch for all students . Work with government , unions , interfaith , business , developers, etc to provide community funds to provide mutual aid to directly impacted communities . Free job training and credit repair , tax credits or subsidiesfor volunteers ,
Co-Op living spaces, multi family dwelling units , grants for subsizied housing vouchers , rent to own programs , tiny homes , multi purpose zoning , Adherence to laws that require developers to grant a percentage of living spaces , ie homes , units , apartments , to housing vouchers programs , disabled , mentally ill , etc . A housing authority agency to provide renters rights, housing regulati ns , oversight of landlords. property management , and government agencies VoteSimms
I'm the best candidate for your next Charles County Government Commissioner President for several reasons . I'm well educated , my roots are in Charles County , I know legislation , I've fought and won in regards to legislation , policies and procedures . I've been the change that you wanted to see , I've work with many different groups across the DMV in the fight for the people . I founded my own mental health and wellness non profit. I've been eleted twice with in the last 8 years .
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Campaign Website http://electdyothasweat.com
Campaign Phone 2407765385
Campaign Instagram @electdrsweat
1) Prioritize responsible, performance-based budgeting. Every department should be accountable for results, not just requests. 2) Strategic infrastructure investment—If we don’t align spending with growth, we create congestion, strain services, and it erodes quality of life. 3) Long-term fiscal stability. Grow the commercial tax base, so county is not over-reliant on residential taxpayers. For too long residential property taxes have carried the load—which is not sustainable.

I support policies which move toward intentional, disciplined planning that will address targeted growth zones where infrastructure either exists or has strong preservation of rural and agricultural areas, and a firm policy where infrastructure must lead development, not chase it. Support growth that is coordinated, predictable, and aligned with a clear long-term vision to include projects that are required to address traffic, schools, and services.
Streamline Business Development & Permitting: Modernize and expedite the permitting and licensing process to reduce barriers for small businesses and developers - remove the bottlenecks and implement oversight. Invest in Targeted Industry Growth: Prioritize sectors with strong growth potential in Charles County (e.g., logistics, tech, healthcare, green energy, and tourism) Support Small & Minority-Owned Businesses: Increase procurement opportunities so local businesses can compete for Contracts
Push for transparent budgeting and prioritize policies that put money back in residents’ pockets. Evaluate and stabilize property taxes while ensuring responsible fiscal management. Look for ways to expand programs that provide relief for seniors, veterans, and working families. Focus on ways to expand the commercial tax base so homeowners aren’t subsidizing everything. This is about building a stronger, more affordable, and more inclusive Charles County.

Expand Affordable & Workforce Housing: Support incentivizing mixed-income and workforce housing development in appropriate growth areas, streamlining approvals for projects that meet workforce housing criteria, and ensuring housing is paired with transportation and infrastructure. Support targeted growth zones where infrastructure either exists or is planned first, not after the fact. Support zoning updates that allow for diverse housing options (e.g., ADUs, tiny homes mixed-use communities).
As a Retired Navy veteran, community leader, and President of the Charles County NAACP, I have worked side by side with residents, small business owners, faith leaders, educators, and veterans to address real challenges—rising costs, environmental protection, public trust in government, and quality of life for our families. My focus has always been service over politics, solutions over division, and progress that works for everyone. Sweat Equity: Leadership that listens. Service that delivers.