CANDIDATE

Raised in a Navy family, Will moved frequently throughout his childhood, an experience that gave him a deep appreciation for the diversity, resilience, and shared values found across the nation. He first came to Washington County in 1982 and later attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics. After graduation, he spent five years living and working in Baltimore before returning home to Hagerstown with his wife in 1999 to raise their family.

Will built a successful career in commercial construction, traveling widely across the region and the country. Through this work, he developed a strong understanding of how communities grow and thrive. Now, with three grown children pursuing their own paths, Will is pleased to be working on a project in Hagerstown that allows him to spend more time locally and stay closely connected to the community he cares about.

Long engaged in and attentive to local politics, Will believes this is a pivotal moment for civic participation. He is committed to contributing his experience, energy, and perspective to a dedicated team focused on enacting positive change and inspiring greater engagement among local Democrats.

CANDIDATE

Born in upstate New York, a region similar in character to Washington County, he was raised on a dairy farm where hard work and responsibility were part of daily life. He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, earning degrees in Graphic Design and Interior Design that laid the foundation for his career in design and architecture.

After college, Freeman moved to Boston, where he worked for a large architectural firm and began his career in large-scale commercial and healthcare design. In 2004, he relocated to Washington, D.C., where he works closely with federal government agencies designing healthcare facilities for the U.S. military. Serving the men and women who protect the nation has been one of the greatest honors of his life.

Eleven years ago, Freeman and his husband moved to Washington County to leave behind the pace of city life and to settle in a community that reminded him of his upbringing. Since then, they have restored several historic landmarks and become deeply involved in historic preservation efforts throughout the county. For several years, he has also authored historical and biographical articles on the architecture and history of Williamsport, helping to raise awareness and contribute to the town’s revitalization.

Freeman is passionate about Washington County, as well as fairness, equality, human rights, and government accountability to ensure the community receives the strong representation it deserves. He is seeking voters’ support on Election Day, June 23rd.

CANDIDATE

Katie, 66, is a lifelong resident of Washington County. She was born and raised in Hagerstown. She attended St. Mary Catholic School and St. Maria Goretti High School. She earned a B.A. from Boston College, her MD State Teaching Certificate from Frostburg University, and a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University. She’s always been a proponent of lifelong learning.

She began her teaching career at E. Russell Hicks Middle School, and subsequently taught Language Arts at Boonsboro and Williamsport High Schools. She married Todd Hershey in 1992, and the couple have six children. After her public school teaching career, she home schooled many of her children through the eighth grade. They went on to attend various Washington County high schools including the International Baccalaureate Program at North

Hagerstown High School, Boonsboro High School and the Washington County Technical High School. She has great respect for the educators of Washington County.

Katie serves on the board of Hagerstown Community Concert Association, supporting its Outreach programs in the schools. She has been a board member of the Washington County Historical Society and is a lifelong member. The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts has had a place in her life since childhood and she has maintained a membership throughout the years. She is actively involved in her St. Agnes Parish as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Racial Justice Committee and Scripture Sharing and Hospitality groups. An avid reader, she is a member of two local book clubs.

She happily admits completing the Maryland Triathlon: swimming the 4.4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, biking 184.5 on the C&O Canal and “running” the JFK 50 Ultramarathon…just not on the same day! She enjoys all the wonderful outdoor activities that are available to Washington Countians from canoeing its beautiful streams and Potomac River to hiking its great trails: the AT, C&O Canal and ANB.

As a candidate for the Democratic WCCC, she is committed to bringing voters back to the polls, reinvigorating the Democratic party at the local level, recruiting and supporting strong candidates across all county races and reviving the positive events that have brought Democrats together for decades.

CANDIDATE

Lori Parks-Murphy is a lifelong county resident and a proud graduate of Washington County Public Schools (WCPS). After graduating from Williamsport High School, she attended Towson University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in English. She later earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.

A retired teacher, Lori spent most of her career in WCPS, with stints at Boonsboro, Williamsport, and Washington County Technical high schools, as well as several years as SAT and College Readiness Specialist for the county. She is a member of the Washington County Retired Education Personnel Association. Lori and her husband Kevin Murphy, also a retired teacher, have six grandchildren, four of whom currently attend Washington County Public Schools. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, birding, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her extended family.

Lori was recently appointed to fill a vacancy on the Democratic Central Committee and is excited to be running for a full term as part of Washington County Democrats for Action. She believes that politics is not just for politicians, but something every citizen should participate in because political decisions affect all aspects of our lives–our schools, roads, water, housing, job opportunities–and the civil rights that many of us took for granted until recently.

CANDIDATE

Born in Washington County and a graduate of South Hagerstown High School, Nicole Rappaport has proudly called this community home for most of her life. After spending several years in Montgomery and Frederick counties, she returned to Washington County in 1990 to build her life, raise her family, and invest in the place she has always considered home.

Nicole and her husband, Jason, have spent more than 25 years building both a family and a business in Washington County. As the former Chief Financial Officer of Innovative Incorporated, a Hagerstown-based regional technology firm, Nicole helped guide the company through years of steady growth and strategic development. Since retiring from her executive role in 2019, she has continued to serve on the company’s board of directors while dedicating more of her time to family, civic engagement, and community service.

Service has long been central to Nicole’s life. She has served on multiple local boards and committees and volunteered in numerous capacities over the years. Nicole believes strong communities are built through steady leadership, thoughtful collaboration, and a willingness to listen.

Known for her warm, open-minded approach and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Nicole has built lasting relationships across business, nonprofit, and civic circles. She is a bridge builder who values respectful, constructive dialogue and practical solutions over division and partisanship.

Nicole is running for the Democratic Central Committee because she believes this is not a time to sit on the sidelines. At a moment when political discourse often feels divisive, she is committed to helping strengthen and reinvigorate the local Democratic Party, support strong candidates, and encourage broader, more civil civic participation. She brings a balanced perspective shaped by decades of business leadership, nonprofit governance, and community involvement — and a deep belief that Washington County’s future is strongest when more voices are engaged in shaping it.

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Mr. David R. Richardson Jr. is a lifelong Democrat, a proud African American member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a steadfast advocate for equality and justice in all forms for all people. A resident of Washington County since 2016, he and his late husband worked side by side to build a life rooted in civic engagement, democratic values, and a shared commitment to leaving their community stronger, fairer, and more inclusive than they found it.

Together, they believed that democracy is not passive—it is built through participation, accountability, and the courage to stand for those whose voices have too often been marginalized. That shared vision became the foundation of their work and their life in Western Maryland.

In his husband's absence, Mr. Richardson is more determined than ever to continue the legacy they began together. Guided by love, loss, and an unshakable belief in the promise of democracy, he remains committed to advancing policies and practices that uphold dignity, protect civil rights, and expand opportunity for all people. His pursuit is clear: a community where equality is lived, justice is applied without exception, and the pursuit of happiness is accessible to everyone.

Richardson's work is driven by integrity, representation, and the conviction that democracy flourishes when every individual is seen, valued, and empowered to participate fully.

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Susan moved to Washington County in 2022 to join Volvo Trucks, Technology and Industrial — known to most locals as the Mack plant — where she serves as communications manager. She quickly put down roots, settling into an old farmhouse with her chickens, her pet bird, and even a resident attic snake she has grown accustomed to living alongside.

Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, Susan earned her B.A. from the College of Charleston, where she captained the women’s swim team and was a two-time All American. Early in her career, she worked at a Charleston television station and aspired to become a correspondent. During the 1988 presidential election, while assisting the newsroom as an exit poller at a rural polling station, she was assaulted after witnessing the removal and replacement of ballot boxes. That experience was a turning point in her life, deepening her commitment to democracy, accountability, and fair elections.

For 20 years, Susan devoted herself to raising her two children, Nicholas and Olivia, while building a career as a freelance photojournalist. She covered stories in the Middle East and Africa for non-governmental organizations and international banks, documenting issues of human rights, development, and global equity.

At the age of 48, determined to have an even greater impact on the issues that mattered to her, Susan earned an M.A. in new media photojournalism from the Corcoran College of Art + Design. She went on to become the oldest intern ever at NPR Music and later worked as a photo editor at the Washington Post, gaining invaluable experience alongside world-class journalists. She spent nearly two years covering the impact of climate change in Nepal — work that reinforced her belief in science-based policy and environmental stewardship.

Now, Susan brings that same dedication and global perspective to her community in Washington County. When she’s not at the Mack plant or tending to local concerns, she’s happiest making sure she’s home by dark to lock up her chickens.

Susan is an advocate for human rights, equality, accountability, and justice, and she is committed to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that every voice in Washington County is heard.

CANDIDATE

Sam Wright is a lifelong Washington County resident living in Downsville. A former Williamsport High School student, Sam graduated from the Tech High Printing program in 1995. Together with his little sister Julia, he grew up in their family business, Tristate Printing, starting when they had to stand on boxes of paper to collate newsletters. Today, he splits his duties as President and Sales Manager. Julia, the general manager, still keeps him in check and humble.

His commitment to community service began with the Jaycees of Hagerstown, an organization that helps young people hone their organizational and leadership skills by chairing community service projects, fundraisers, and the occasional pub crawl. Later, becoming an active member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Rotary, and a member of the Leadership Washington County class of 16, still referred to this day as the best class ever.

In the summer of 2006, Lady Fate smiled on Sam, introducing him to Dana Moylan. Over the next year, Sam wooed Dana with every ounce of charm he could muster, and they were married the following year. Shortly after, two children showed up, Will and Annie, and their little farm in Downsville proved to be a terrific environment to raise children. Gigi and Pappy, now retired and living on the farm, spent countless hours with them from sick days to grand adventures. A few years later, Sam got involved with the local scout troop Downsville 58. A commitment of one night a week and a few weekends a year turned into 5 years as scoutmaster, countless campouts, and weekends of boys in out of Dana’s kitchen. Not long after Annie got into horses and became the farm manager, she still keeps her father in check and humble.

Sam often says, “The timing of the rain dance has a lot to do with how effective it is.” He firmly believes now is the time for local Dems to start dancing. The time for leadership, service, and candidates to run is now.