← Jefferson County Commission — Kabletown District
Steve Stolipher✓ Incumbent
Voted against Valley North line; lobbied for solar zoning bypass.
- 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.
- Lobbied the state legislature (HB 4553) to let solar facilities bypass local zoning.
- Recused from a 2021 solar zoning vote after a conflict-of-interest objection.
- 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.
Wants a staffing study before setting a fire-equipment levy.
- Says a staffing study should come before setting a proposed fire-equipment levy amount.
Cast the lone vote against a push for state FOIA changes.
- Cast the lone dissenting vote (4-1) against a commission push for state FOIA changes, citing transparency concerns.
- Recused from at least one 2021 solar vote over a conflict-of-interest objection, despite generally maintaining recusal isn’t legally required of him.
Backed the 2023 broadband expansion; says gridlock scared off employers.
- Publicly backed the county’s 2023 broadband expansion (GigReady/Comcast partnership).
- 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
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.
None as of the September 2026
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)