Election 2026: District 2 Commissioner Candidate Preston Shell

Continuing our “Election: 2026” series, this addition to our candidate interviews features 2nd District* Commissioner candidate Preston Shell (R). Leading up to the primaries, we will continue to release candidate interviews in order to keep you informed as you make your way to the ballot box.

Publisher's Note: The Washington County Times does not endorse political candidates. Our mission is to provide balanced and informative coverage of local politics so our readers can make their own informed decisions at the ballot box. We aim to give all candidates a fair opportunity to share their views and connect with the community. This Q&A is part of that commitment to open, unbiased political reporting.

*The Washington County District 2 Commissioner covers Jefferson, Monroe, Washington, and Pierce Townships.

---

Preston Shell

For readers who may not be familiar with the role, how would you describe the primary responsibilities of the County Commissioner?

All responsibilities of the County Commissioner are extremely important, as this is one of the highest roles that you can be in at the county level. However, in my opinion, I believe some of the highest responsibilities are to properly take care of our county employees, properly spend taxpayers money, and to ensure that we are able to safely and securely take care of our citizens.

Can you tell us about your background and any experience that has prepared you to serve as County Commissioner?

I worked for the Sheriff’s Department as a full-time employee for 13 years, as well as reserved for well over 20 years. I was a County Commissioner from 2016-2020. I currently serve as a County Council member and have since 2021. I also was a

manager at Kimball International for 29 years. With all of my experience in prior management roles, as well as being a lifelong public servant, I believe I am more than equipped for this position.

What motivated you to run for this office?

I was born and raised in Washington County. I have a servant’s heart, and I love to be able to be the voice for our county. I have always had Washington County’s best interest in my heart. I have seen a lot of downfalls over the years throughout our county government that I feel have not been handled appropriately. I want to bring back the trust of our tax paying citizens and the people that elect us to serve them and make good, honest decisions on their behalf. I want to make our employees feel secure, and I would like to see higher retention rates as well. I do not want employees to have a fear of retaliation for them speaking up against situations that they feel need to be addressed. Their opinions matter and they need to feel seen and heard.

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Washington County, and how should the County Commissioners address them?

Currently, there is a lot of division between our elected county officials. Some officials have their own personal agendas, while others have the needs and wants of their constituents in mind. I want to be able to find common ground between us all to be able to face the issues that come to us in an honest, respectful, and fair manner. Another issue that I think is concerning would be the sheriff’s department and the current buildings that are being used. We have a lot of repairs that need to be made, as some of these buildings are old and outdated. I also believe we need to be more diligent when it comes to selecting bids for county work. We need to make sure that the bids that we are accepting are good, honest bids, and that the work that we are paying for gets done.

County Commissioners are involved in approving contracts and bids. How would you ensure that county contracts are awarded fairly, transparently, and in the best interest of taxpayers?

I believe that the larger work being done for the county needs to have at least three bids each. Small, simple jobs need to have at least two bids. I don’t believe in county officials having hidden agendas or receiving any type of personal gain from the work that the is being done.

How do you plan to remain accessible, transparent, and accountable to residents if elected?

I will continue to have an open-door policy and will always do my best to make myself available to our citizens. I never want people to be afraid to come to me and I will always do my best to keep an open mind when being approached by different situations. I will not be a “one-man” Commissioner, and I will take everything to my other two Commissioners so that a fair and appropriate decision can be made.

How would you work with other county officials, departments, and local governments to effectively serve the county?

It is the duty of the Commissioners to stay in constant communication with each county department head and their employees. Most decisions should not be brought to our attention right before the meetings, and we should be in the know with certain situations ahead of time so that we have time to think things over very thoroughly before making

any important decisions. In the future, I would like to see some type of meeting take place with each department head possibly once a month just to be on the same page and make sure that they feel seen and heard.

What qualities or experiences do you believe set you apart from your opponents in this race?

I am a true, lifelong Republican, and this would not be my first time doing the job. I have always believed in doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, and I have always treated people the way that I would want to be treated. Serving our community is what I value the most and I want to continue to do right by our citizens in the county that built me.

Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share with Washington County voters?

As I said before, I have a servant heart, and I have always looked out for the constituents of our County. I will continue to work hard to make the best decisions for our citizens. I will hold all county offices to the highest standards to make sure that decisions are made honestly and effectively. I will treat people with respect, and I will maintain an open mind. I look forward to the opportunity to serve this County for another four years and I would greatly appreciate your vote in May.