Sherman announces bid for Washington Co. commissioner

A North Strabane Township resident who works for a nonprofit organization announced his plan to run for Washington County commissioner.
Nick Sherman, 35, is seeking the Republican nomination in the May 2015 primary election. Sherman served as executive vice president of the Domestic Outreach Center, a family-owned organization, for nine years. The organization aims to tackle the issue of domestic violence in Washington County by promoting the idea of individual accountability.
“At my core, I believe in helping others,” Sherman said in a news release. “I believe the skills I developed in managing people, controlling spending, balancing budgets and making a payroll will all prove to be valuable experience.”
Sherman grew up in Finleyville and attended Ringgold schools. He went on to study political science at Clarion University and worked for his father’s construction company while attending school. After graduation, he worked for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress.
If elected, Sherman said one of his goals is to make government more transparent and provide more oversight into how natural gas royalty money and casino funds are being distributed throughout the county.
“We need greater transparency,” he said. “This money is being treated like (walking around money) for political gain and pet projects instead of it being given back to the people in the form of lower taxes.”
He also said he would like to implement a “no-gift” stipulation and reform government by having all county contractors sign an ethics statement.
“All projects and contracts paid for with county dollars should be bid out in order to ensure competition and the lowest price,” he said.
Sherman is a member of National Rifle Association, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ruffed Grouse Society, Pheasants Forever, North American Fishing Club and Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 164.
He lives in North Strabane with his wife, Heather, and two children, Hadley, 4, and Maxwell, 1.