Community Media Center, League of Women Voters to Host Forums for Every Contested Race in Carroll County

The Community Media Center of Carroll County (CMC) and the League of Women Voters of Carroll County announced a partnership to produce and host candidate forums for every contested local race on the ballot in Carroll County this election cycle, including Board of Education, Commissioners for Districts 1, 3 and 5, Delegates for Districts 5 and 42C, Senate District 5 and Sheriff.

The forums are meant to give voters direct, nonpartisan access to candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. CMC will record and broadcast each forum, with on-demand viewing available afterward.

"Ensuring voters have accurate, first-hand information about the people asking for their vote is at the core of our mission," Robert Blubaugh, CMC's managing editor of digital content, said in a Sept. 3 press release announcing the partnership. "By partnering with the League of Women Voters of Carroll County, we're able to bring these conversations directly into the community and make them available to anyone, whether they attend in person or watch from home."

The League, a nonpartisan organization focused on encouraging informed and active participation in government, will help organize and moderate the forums, drawing on its history of nonpartisan candidate events.

"Every contested race deserves a forum where voters can hear directly from the candidates in their own words," Cheryl Steinbacher, the League's Carroll County president, said in the same release. "This partnership allows us to expand our reach and make sure no race in Carroll County goes without this important civic opportunity."

Forums will air live on cable channel HD-1072, at carrollmediacenter.org and on YouTube, and will be available for rebroadcast through Election Day. CMC's online voters' guide has forum recordings, candidate profiles and other election information. CMC says it does not endorse candidates or political organizations, and the forums are presented as a public service.

Except for the Sept. 16 forums in Taneytown, all forums will be held at the CMC Studio in Westminster. The public can attend in person or watch the broadcasts and livestreams, according to the Sept. 3 press release.

Blubaugh will moderate every forum, a role League of Women Voters of Carroll County President Cheryl Steinbacher said in an email interview he was chosen for because of his experience; League board members will handle opening and closing hosting duties. Questions will come from a mix of public submissions and ones drawn up by the League, Steinbacher said, and candidates won't see them in advance.

Timing varies by format. In the two-candidate races, each candidate gets three minutes for an opening statement, two minutes to answer each question, and three minutes to close. In the multi-candidate races — Board of Education and Delegate District 5, where six candidates are running for three seats each — candidates get two minutes to open, 90 seconds to answer each question, and two minutes to close, seated in alphabetical order.

Steinbacher said candidates have been told that going over time, dodging questions, or attacking an opponent instead of answering "will not be permitted or tolerated," and that she and Blubaugh are prepared to step in if it happens.

Every candidate actively campaigning in a contested race has agreed to attend, Steinbacher said. She said Delegate District 5 Democratic candidate Courtney Alexa Welch has not responded to the League or, she said she's been told, to others trying to reach her.

Carroll County Board of Elections and CMC's voters guide confirm the following candidates for each race. CMC has also recorded short video introductions with most candidates, available through its voters guide and YouTube channel.

Incumbent Joe Vigliotti (R), the current Board of County Commissioners president, faces Aaron M. Goldsmith (D). Both ran unopposed in their June primaries.

Incumbent Jim DeWees (R), who won his primary with about 70% of the vote, faces Gail F. Wickless (D), who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Incumbent Justin Ready (R), who has held the seat since 2015 and ran unopposed in his primary, faces Gary Foote (D).

Incumbent Tom Gordon (R), seeking a second term, faces Dennis Frazier (D), a former District 3 commissioner who served two terms from 2014 to 2022 as a Republican and has since switched parties.

Incumbent Susan W. Krebs (R), who was appointed to the seat in 2025, faces Megan Foelber (D), who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Republican Del. Joshua Stonko is not seeking a second term. Steve Patten (R) faces Corynne Courpas (D); both ran unopposed in their June primaries.

Three at-large seats are open on the nonpartisan board. Six candidates are running: Cleveland Christopher Friday, Marsha B. Herbert (a past board president), Shannon Hinkhaus, Lisa Maisano, Julie V. Walsh and Sharon Wilhide. Westminster Wire has covered candidates' reaction to the board's June 2026 vote to end Outdoor School overnights.

Three seats are up for grabs. Republicans April Rose, Chris Tomlinson and Steve Whisler — the current CCPS Board of Education president — advanced from a four-way primary and face Democrats Alison Rudolph, Dayana Bergman and Courtney Alexa Welch, all of whom ran unopposed in their primary.