LA PLATA, Md. (District 2) — The county’s problems are his problems. The traffic, roads in disrepair, concerns about school safety and questions about how Charles County grows aren’t just political issues — they’re part of everyday life for the people who call it home. For Eric Reed, an Indian Head resident, Navy veteran and government contractor, experiencing those challenges firsthand is what pushed him to run for Charles County commissioner.
Eric told The BayNet that experiencing those issues and trying to navigate local government convinced him it was time to get involved directly. Trying to work with local government when concerns arose wasn’t always easy, he said.
Now, he wants to change that experience for others.
Eric is running for the Charles County Commissioner District 2 seat with a platform centered on accessibility, accountability and a belief that residents should have a meaningful voice in the decisions affecting their communities. He believes his perspective as a political outsider will allow him to focus on improving life for residents without getting caught up in politics.
“Everyone has to live here, not just me,” Eric said. “I want everyone to have a say and feel like, no matter what decisions are made, they’ve been heard and their voice matters.”
If elected, Eric said he wants to build stronger one-on-one relationships with constituents through town halls, community forums and informal conversations. After his own frustrations dealing with county officials over the years, he said he wants residents to feel like the county government listens rather than simply talks.
That emphasis on personal connections is also shaping how he plans to campaign.
He acknowledges that he has little to no name recognition compared with others in the commissioner race, but he doesn’t see that as a setback. Beyond creating a campaign website and Facebook page, he plans to knock on doors, visit local businesses and introduce himself to residents at community events, including the county fair.
“In today’s age, everything is done through screens,” Reed said. “I’m ready to get out there, shake hands, and have those face-to-face conversations.”
For him, those conversations are about more than campaigning. They reflect the kind of relationship he said he wants the county government to have with residents.
Growth and development are also central to Eric’s vision for Charles County.
He said he wants to see fewer large housing developments and chain retailers, with a greater emphasis on supporting locally owned businesses that can strengthen the community and keep more economic activity local. For Indian Head and communities throughout District 2, he said that vision also includes protecting the area’s natural surroundings and unique character while encouraging thoughtful growth that makes the community a destination where people want to visit, shop, dine and spend their money.
“District 2 has a lot of wooded areas, so I want to protect nature while also making it a place where people want to be. I want people to want to shop here, visit here, and spend money here instead of going to other places,” Eric said. “After talking with residents, it’s clear that people want more for families and youth to be able to do in the area, and I agree with the community. I would like to lean more toward providing places for entertainment by exploring opportunities to repurpose or appropriately zone areas so that this can be accomplished.”
On proposed data centers, Eric said his decision would depend on the type of data center being proposed, since not all data centers are the same. He said he would carefully consider whether a project could harm the natural environment or the beauty of the area and whether it could place an unnecessary strain on the surrounding community.
Preserving the environment, he said, would be a priority. Any proposed data center should include a plan for water conservation and be as self-sufficient as possible while also being subject to regulations regarding the amount of water and energy it uses. Developers should be held accountable for their resource usage, he said, and surrounding communities should not be left to bear the financial costs.
School safety and responsible county spending are also among Eric’s priorities. If elected, he said he wants to ensure that tax dollars are spent appropriately and with maximum transparency. He also wants to make sure schools have the resources necessary to provide a safe environment where staff can teach and children can learn, including access to up-to-date laptops, technology and other essential tools that support an effective learning environment.
Accountability, Reed said, is something he takes personally.
He describes himself as hardworking and results-driven, with a straightforward approach and a focus on getting things done. He has spent most of his adult life in the military, where he was held to high standards every day and, at times, was entrusted with responsibilities that directly affected the safety of others. Those experiences helped shape the values and accountability he brings to everything he does.
If elected, he said he would continue to hold himself and those around him to the same core values of honor, courage and commitment.
It comes back to the idea that pushed him to run in the first place: He lives here, too, and the problems facing Charles County affect him alongside the people he hopes to represent.
“Bottom line, if it affects Charles County, it affects me,” Eric said. “Let’s make this community better for all of us by giving residents a voice and making sure they are heard. This campaign is about putting the needs of our community first and focusing on what truly matters. Results over politics.”
Learn more: Follow Eric Reed’s campaign for Charles County Commissioner District 2 at voteericreed.com and on Facebook for updates on events, town halls and where he’ll appear next.
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