Shoge Promotes "Non-Partisan" Commissioner Campaign: The Chestertown Report

For the full article, please visit The Chestertown Report.

Sam Shoge, a Chestertown native and co-founder of a regional community development advisory firm, has entered the race for Kent County Commissioner with a campaign centered on expanding economic opportunity and strengthening the county’s long-term outlook.

“I am not running a partisan campaign or approach county government from a partisan perspective,” Shoge said. “Schools, roads, wastewater treatment rates; I don’t see anything partisan in that respect.”

A Concerned View of Kent County’s Future

Shoge points to troubling economic trends, including a shrinking workforce and aging population, as key challenges facing the county.

He described the data as “deeply disturbing,” asking: “What does it tell us about our future? How are we going maintain and fund our quality of life?”

He also highlighted issues like food insecurity, homelessness, and the number of students receiving free and reduced meals, concluding that Kent County needs a “dramatic increase in opportunity.”

Economic Growth as the Core Strategy

In his first 100 days, Shoge says he would prioritize an economic development strategy focused on job creation, commercial investment, and population growth.

“I am pro-growth where it makes sense… where there is infrastructure… connectivity.”

He supports tools like a housing development agency and sees collaboration with municipalities as essential to executing a countywide strategy.

Schools, Housing, and Retaining Families

Shoge connects economic growth directly to the future of Kent County Public Schools.

“We need to grow our tax base and increase the number of students enrolled in our school system,” he said.

He supports building a new middle school on the existing Campus Avenue site and believes the school system must become more competitive in attracting and retaining students.

Supporting Seniors and Workforce Needs

Addressing Kent County’s aging population, Shoge emphasized the need for more senior housing and stronger workforce pipelines in healthcare.

“There is a shortage of affordable senior housing,” he said.

He also supports programs to help seniors avoid losing homes due to unpaid property taxes, noting the broader implications for generational wealth.

“We are about to enter the largest wealth transfer ever… I want Kent County’s next generation to benefit from this.”

For the full article, please visit The Chestertown Report.