Former St. Mary’s County Commissioner Tom Jarboe has officially announced his candidacy for Commissioner President in the 2026 election. Jarboe, a Republican and lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, declared his intent to run in a statement posted on his campaign’s Facebook page. He is seeking to succeed current Commissioner President Randy Guy, who will be term-limited in 2026.
A Lifelong Connection to St. Mary’s County
Jarboe was born on July 15, 1969, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown. His family has lived in the county for nearly 400 years, and he and his wife, Shannon, raised their three sons, Nick, Christian, and Luke, in St. Mary’s City.
He attended Little Flower School in Great Mills for eight years before graduating from St. Mary’s Ryken in 1987. Following his education, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Navigator and Shipboard Intelligence Officer. After his military service, he earned a Master of Science in International Business from the University of Maryland in 2002.
Jarboe returned to St. Mary’s County and established Technology Security Associates, a defense contracting firm that grew to generate $12 million in annual revenue. His professional background includes leadership roles in international trade, defense consulting, and business advocacy.
A Record of Public Service and Community Leadership
Jarboe has long been an advocate for local businesses and community initiatives. In 2009, he founded Leadership Southern Maryland, an organization dedicated to professional development in the region. He has served on the board of the St. Mary’s Chamber of Commerce since 2012 and previously held the role of Chairman.
His commitment to public service extends to volunteer work, including serving as Rescue Lieutenant 6 for the Valley Lee Volunteer Fire Department and as a volunteer EMT for Company 49 in Ridge.
Jarboe was elected as the District 1 Commissioner, where he prioritized strengthening St. Mary’s County’s business climate. He led efforts to connect the Commissioners with industry leaders nationwide and played a key role in St. Mary’s County joining the Rural Maryland Coalition to amplify the voice of rural communities in state policymaking.
Vision for St. Mary’s County
In his campaign announcement, Jarboe emphasized his deep-rooted connection to the county and his broad experience in leadership, business, and government.
“Tom is a native of St. Mary’s County. His family has resided in St. Mary’s County for nearly 400 years. He and his wife Shannon raised their three sons (Nick, Christian, and Luke) in St. Mary’s City. His parents sent him to school at Little Flower School in Great Mills for 8 years then St. Mary’s Ryken, graduating in 1987. He went on to receive a Masters of Science in International Business from the University of Maryland. Tom is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and has successfully led and founded multiple defense contracting companies located locally in St. Mary’s County. He worked to advocate for the citizens of District 1, serving as their Commissioner. Tom Jarboe now seeks to advocate for all of St. Mary’s. He is seeking the position of Commissioner President in 2026. Given his diverse background, being someone born of the County, a Coast Guard veteran, an avid volunteer, local business owner, and former Commissioner Tom is well rounded and experienced to lead our county as Commissioner President.”
Jarboe’s campaign is expected to focus on supporting local businesses, maximizing the efficiency of taxpayer investments, and fostering public-private partnerships to enhance economic and community development.
The Road to the Election
Jarboe is the first candidate to officially enter the race for Commissioner President, a role that oversees county government operations and policymaking. The primary election is scheduled for June 2026, with the general election following in November.
For more details about Jarboe’s campaign, visit TomJarboeforSMC.com.