Massachusetts First explores elected positions often overlooked by voters
Originally, Massachusetts was divided into 14 counties, each with its own set of commissioners tasked with overseeing various administrative duties. However, the role of County Commissioners has been significantly altered since the late 1990s,when many of the responsibilities traditionally held by county governments were absorbed by state agencies, transferred to municipal governments, or relegated to Regional Planning Authorities (see our August 1, 2023 article Did You Know: County Governments vs. Regional Planning Agencies in Massachusetts ) .
Today, the role of County Commissioners in Massachusetts varies depending on the county’s structure and whether it operates under a traditional or regional government system. Generally, County Commissioners are responsible for managing county finances, infrastructure, and certain public services.
Fiscal management:
They oversee the county budget, allocating funds for essential services such as law enforcement, public health, and infrastructure maintenance.
County infrastructure:
Responsible for funding and maintaining county-owned properties such as courthouses, jails, and administrative buildings and public works projects such as road maintenance and construction.
Public Services:
Collaborate and coordinate with other local and state agencies, such as public health departments, to address community health concerns, coordinate emergency response efforts, or collaborate with social service agencies.
Despite the reduction in their administrative authority, County Commissioners continue to play a role in local governance, ensuring the efficient delivery of essential services and the responsible stewardship of public resources.
County Commissioners will be on the ballot in the November 5, 2024 Election:
Barnstable County
County commissioners serve four-year terms, which are staggered so that all three positions don’t come up for election at the same time.
Current Commissioners
2024 Challengers
| OCPF ID | Candidate | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 15888 | Beaty, Ronald R. | West Barnstable |
| 14156 | Stead, Cynthia | Dennis |
Bristol County
The Bristol County Board of County Commissioners works part-time and is based in Taunton. The board oversees the maintenance of county courthouses and registries of deeds. The commissioners are also trustees of the Bristol County Agricultural High School.1
Current Commissioners
| OCPF ID | Commissioner | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 14315 | Kitchen, Paul B. (not seeking re-election) | Fairhaven |
| 15065 | Mitchell, John | Fall River |
| 13617 | Saunders, John Thomas | New Bedford |
2024 Challengers
Dukes County
“The seven-member Commission serves as the legislative body of County government. Commissioners are chosen in county-wide elections, No more than two commissioners can be residents of the same island town. Commissioners serve for two years. Terms expire on the first Wednesday in January following the election.”2
Current Commissioners
| OCPF ID | Commissioner | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 15569 | Todd, Christine (Chair) | Oak Bluffs |
| 17532 | Leopold, Donald | Chilmark |
| 15570 | Klingensmith, James (resigned March 2024) | West Tisbury |
| 14621 | Israel, Tristan | Tisbury |
| 17535 | Wharton, Richard | Oak Bluffs |
| 18150 | Ruskin, Doug | West Tisbury |
| 18563 | Vanderhoop, Julianne | Aquinnah |
2024 Challengers
| OCPF | Candidate | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 18904 | Milch, Randal | Chilmark |
Norfolk County
The executive authority of Norfolk County is vested in an elected County Commission. The three Commissioners are elected county-wide for four-year terms with only one permitted from any one city or town.3
Current Commissioners
| OCPF ID | Commissioner | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 12427 | Collins, Peter H. | Milton |
| 16372 | Shea, Joseph P. | Quincy |
| 17465 | Staiti, Richard | Canton |
2024 Challengers
| OCPF ID | Candidate | Town |
|---|---|---|
Plymouth County
Plymouth County has no charter and as such operates under a combination of the Massachusetts General Laws, special acts of the Legislature, by custom, and by directives from various state executive offices.
Like our fellow “statutory” counties of Bristol and Norfolk, the general executive authority of the county is vested in a three person board of County Commissioners, two of whom are elected in “presidential” election years, the other of whom is elected in the “gubernatorial” election years. 4
Current Commissioners
2024 Challengers
| OCPF ID | Candidate | Town |
|---|---|---|
| 15236 | Nyman, Rhonda | Hanover |
| 14821 | Vecchi, Scott M. | Plymouth |
| 14876 | O’Brien, Anthony | Brockton |
We will update the list as new candidates file with OCPF.
By Citizens for Truth Contributor
Sources:
https://ocpf.us/Filers/RecentlyOrganized
https://www.capecod.gov/county-government/commissioners
- https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2018/11/07/bristol-county-commissioner-john-saunder/9137359007/ ↩︎
- https://www.dukescounty.org/county-commissioners ↩︎
- https://www.norfolkcounty.org/county_commission/about_norfolk_county/index.php ↩︎
- http://plymouthcountyma.civiccms.acsitefactory.com/about ↩︎
Massachusetts First 
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