McCormick announces bid for commissioner
Republican Mike McCormick of Peters Township announced Tuesday he is running for Washington County commissioner.
”I am not a career politician. I have decided to run for county commissioner because Washington County needs new people, new ideas and new energy in government. I want to make Washington County a destination county that draws businesses and families to an environment that spurs job creation and economic growth,” said McCormick, 66, in a news release.
McCormick ran for Congress in 1994 and 1996 against Frank Mascara, who had been chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners before seeking federal office.
McCormick is chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Benchmark Wealth Management, also known as BenchMark Financial Network of Southpointe. The firm began as Blue Vase Holding Co.
Asked if he is part of a slate, McCormick replied, “At this point in time, I am making a bid as an individual. In each party, two are nominated. I’m working as hard as I can to make sure I am one of those two people.”
Commission Vice Chairman Diana Irey Vaughan is expected to seek a sixth, four-year term. She began her career as commissioner as part of a Republican majority on the board for the first time since Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, but she became a minority commissioner in 2000.
The GOP recently has been faring better in local elections, capturing the state Senate seat representing Washington and Greene counties when Camera Bartolotta defeated incumbent Democrat Tim Solobay and a state House seat when Jason Ortitay bested Jesse White.
”We need to be a leader in transparency and good government, we must be financially accountable and we must move our administrative practices into the 21st century. Republican leadership will achieve this,” said McCormick, a 30-year Washington County resident.
”I will run a professional, aggressive and positive campaign focused on Washington County’s future,” he said. “I intend to win by building up rather than tearing down.”
The resurgence of the local Republican Party is “one particular trend I would like to see continue,” McCormick said.
Democratic incumbent Commissioners Larry Maggi and Harlan Shober announced last week that they intend to seek fourth and second terms, respectively. Allen (A.J.) Williams of North Strabane Township, a former Canonsburg councilman, intends to file as a challenger.