CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — In an episode of “Get Real with Southern Maryland Politics,” host Chris Hill sat down with returning candidate Peter Murphy, giving voters a closer look at Murphy’s motivations to reenter the race for Charles County District 2 commissioner and how he approaches the county’s challenges.
Murphy framed his candidacy around unfinished work and experience, grounding his decision in a simple question: “What value can I bring to this position?” He pointed to his background in county government and his time working in Annapolis as critical assets, especially when dealing with what he described as a complex financial system.
“We have a $600 million budget… and we need to know how to spend that more wisely,” he said, stressing that budget decisions shaped everything from education to public safety. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining the county’s AAA bond rating, calling it “incredibly important” because it “saves us millions of dollars in interest.”
Murphy consistently highlighted his approach to leadership as collaborative rather than combative. Drawing from his experience as a certified mediator, he rejected the idea that governance required choosing sides.
“We oftentimes get stuck in this either/or,” he said. “And it doesn’t have to be either/or… usually, there’s a middle ground.” He reinforced that philosophy by defining government’s role in practical terms: “Government is here to make it work. It should not be the obstacle.”
When the conversation turned to housing, Murphy acknowledged both the shortage of available homes and the rising costs affecting residents. He expanded the discussion beyond new development to include those already living in the county.
“Let’s look at the folks that have been here for years… and are having to leave because they can’t afford the property taxes,” he said. “I absolutely do not accept… that anybody should ever have to leave their home ’cause they can’t pay their property tax.” At the same time, he supported efforts to bring in new residents and suggested revitalizing existing communities as a practical solution. By focusing on areas with established infrastructure, he argued, the county could reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Murphy also pushed for earlier involvement from county leadership in the development process. He criticized the tendency to bring commissioners in too late, saying, “Don’t bring us in… when it’s late, and then it’s tough to turn things around.” Instead, he advocated for engaging developers and residents from the start and asking direct questions like, “What do you need? What would make it worth coming in here?” He supported that point with his own experience, noting, “They would say, ‘Well, if you’d asked me for that, we would’ve done that,’” highlighting how communication could prevent conflict and lead to better outcomes.
Looking ahead, Murphy raised concerns about long-term sustainability, particularly water usage. He warned that the county needed to manage its resources carefully to avoid future shortages.
“We are really having to be very careful and conscious about what we’re doing with our water,” he said, pointing to the potential costs of solutions like purchasing water or building desalination systems. He used that example to reinforce a broader point about leadership. “It has to be visionary… we really gotta look futuristic,” he said, arguing that government must anticipate problems before they escalate.
Murphy also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation. He argued that Charles County could no longer operate independently and needed stronger partnerships with neighboring jurisdictions and state leaders.
“We can no longer just focus on our county… we have got to become more regional,” he said, pointing to shared infrastructure and transportation challenges. He believed his experience in Annapolis positioned him to navigate those relationships effectively. “We’re competing with 20-plus other counties… we better be at the table,” he added, underscoring the need for consistent engagement at the state level.
Throughout the interview, Murphy returned to the idea of presence and accountability. He described his leadership style in straightforward terms: “I show up. I never missed a meeting.”
He extended that commitment to county employees, emphasizing their role in making government function. “They’re the ones that do the work, and they do an amazing job if you let them do their job,” he said, calling for renewed trust and support within the workforce.
As the conversation closed, Murphy positioned himself as a candidate ready to act immediately, citing recent challenges as a reason for experienced leadership. “We need to hit the ground running… we need to move,” he said, framing his campaign around readiness, relationships and a collaborative approach to solving the county’s most pressing issues.
Watch the full interview below:
About Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics
The interview is part of The BayNet’s new candidate video podcast series, “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics,” which features conversations with Southern Maryland candidates running for county commissioner, state delegate and state senator.
Upcoming election coverage can be found at https://thebaynet.com/elections.
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