The Carroll County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution at this morning’s (Monday) meeting indicating they intend to fill the vacancy created by the death of Carroll County Attorney John Werden by appointment. In the event of a vacancy, the supervisors have two options to fill a position: host a special election or appoint an individual to fill out the remainder of the term. The term expires at the end of 2026. Board Chair Scott Johnson asks County Auditor Kourtney Payer the cost of hosting a special election.
Audio PlayerInterim County Attorney Curt Steger, who served as assistant county attorney under John Werden for more than a decade, would continue to serve as the county’s chief prosecutor until a permanent replacement is chosen in either case. A special election would take months to organize and leave the winner with about a year left in the term before they would have to run again. District 4 Supervisor Stephanie Hausman says she understands the need for an appointment in this case but is generally opposed to the idea.
Audio PlayerThe supervisors did vote unanimously to move forward with an appointment, which would be made at the April 14 meeting. Monday’s motion did not include who the individual would be, but Steger would likely be the supervisors’ choice. Members of the public can oppose the board’s decision to fill the vacancy by appointment by turning in a petition with signatures equal to two percent of the previous General Election’s voter count.
