← Jefferson County Commission — Kabletown District

Steve Stolipher✓ Incumbent

Republican
📋 Key Policy Positions
Energy & Data Centers

Voted against Valley North line; lobbied for solar zoning bypass.

  • Vote or action. Voted in Aug. 2026 to oppose the Valley North transmission line; his own proposal to bury the lines instead of rejecting the project failed for lack of a second.
  • Vote or action. Lobbied the state legislature (HB 4553) to let solar facilities bypass local zoning.
  • Vote or action. Recused from a 2021 solar zoning vote after a conflict-of-interest objection.
  • Statement. Owns farmland near Charles Town but says he won’t lease it for solar himself.

Context: He works as a commercial real estate broker with solar-developer clients.

Public Safety

Wants a staffing study before setting a fire-equipment levy.

  • Statement. Says a staffing study should come before setting a proposed fire-equipment levy amount.
Governance & Budget

Cast the lone vote against a push for state FOIA changes.

  • Vote or action. Cast the lone dissenting vote (4-1) against a commission push for state FOIA changes, citing transparency concerns.
  • Vote or action. Recused from at least one 2021 solar vote over a conflict-of-interest objection, despite generally maintaining recusal isn’t legally required of him.
Economic Development

Backed the 2023 broadband expansion; says gridlock scared off employers.

  • Statement. Publicly backed the county’s 2023 broadband expansion (GigReady/Comcast partnership).
  • Statement. Said 2023-24 commission gridlock scared off employers planning high-tech jobs locally.

Context: He also serves on the Planning Commission and as a Development Authority liaison while holding zoning/tax-incentive votes as commissioner; that overlap has been raised as a possible conflict of interest.

Vote, bill or action Statement or pledge Unverified claim

👤 Background

Republican incumbent Jefferson County commissioner (Kabletown District) since 2021; past Commission President. Commercial real estate advisor. Lifelong Jefferson County resident from a farming family. Attended Shepherd University. Former Planning Commission chairman; former Development Authority board member.

🏅 Endorsements

None as of the September 2026

🔗 Campaign Links
📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058094378634

Sources: Jefferson County government website, WV Secretary of State, Spirit of Jefferson, West Virginia Watch, WV MetroNews, ACLU-WV, BallotReady, wvpress.org, Mountain State Spotlight, OakCrest Commercial Real Estate

Running in: Jefferson County Commission — Kabletown District (2026 General Election)