Candidate Snapshot
48 years old; I grew up in suburban Maryland but moved to West Virginia in 2014 to escape the destructive hard-left policies destroying that state; Republican Party candidate
Community Service Experience — I’ve volunteered, and put on fundraisers for, various organizations such as Birthright, Samaritan’s Purse, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and Quilts for Kids.
Work Experience & Education — I have been a wife and stay-at-home mom since I was 20. I have five children ranging from 6 to 27, a one-year-old granddaughter, and I’m a Sunday School teacher at my church.
The candidate’s responses below were edited only for clarity & spelling.
What made you decide to run for County Commissioner?
Over the years, I’ve been increasingly dismayed by America’s steady leftward march. When COVID hit, that leftward march became an all-out sprint. Over-regulation, poor economic policy, political correctness, and cancel-culture are destroying people’s lives. That’s not the America I grew up in or the one I want for my children. These problems were a long time in the making, and we must fix them from the bottom-up. I’m running for County Commission to be an elected official who supports the vision of our Founding Fathers: Faith, Family, and Freedom. If we return to these bedrock principles, we will get Jefferson County, and our country, back on the track to freedom and prosperity.
What experience and expertise do you bring to the role of County Commissioner?
Thankfully, I’m not a career politician. I’m simply a mother of 5 who’s endured enough “managed decline” to stand up and fight for what I believe. My core principles are Faith, Family, and Freedom, and my votes will ALWAYS reflect that. Unlike many in politics today, my principles are non-negotiable. I’m happy to work towards consensus, but I will NEVER bow to pressure to abandon my core beliefs, regardless of whether that pressure comes from the other side or from within my own party. And I won’t accept “it’s always been done that way” as an excuse for bad policies.
How do you plan to engage with county residents to ensure that the decisions of the Commission reflect the interests and concerns of all residents?
My faith has taught me that a true leader serves those they lead, not the other way around. I’m running to be a servant to the residents of Jefferson County. During this campaign, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors to find out what’s important to them. As Commissioner, I will continue to make myself available to hear their needs and concerns. I want every citizen of Jefferson County to know that, even if we disagree on an issue, I’m here to listen to them and give them the respect they deserve.
What are the most important issues you expect the Commission will need to address in the next few years?
The top issues facing Jefferson County are determining the future structure of the EMS, encouraging smart growth, and ensuring that taxpayer money isn’t wasted.
What changes would you make to how the Commission conducts its business?
Governmental bodies must be open and transparent to the citizens they serve. The people’s business should not be conducted behind closed doors. Executive session should be the EXTREME exception, not the rule. Second, the Commission needs to reduce the number of “special sessions” they conduct. Residents need to know when the Commission is conducting business. Whenever meetings occur outside of the set schedule, it increases the odds that interested citizens may be left out. Finally, I believe the Commission should hold its meetings in a larger venue. If every citizen who wishes to attend in person cannot, it is not truly an “open” meeting.
At the end of your term, what is the one thing that you would hope people remember most about your service on the Commission?
I want to make Jefferson County an even better place to raise a family, and would love for people to remember that I helped make that happen. But what will truly make my term a success is if I’m remembered as a leader who was a genuine servant of the citizens of this county.
The County’s comprehensive plan will need to be reviewed and updated during your term. How would you suggest the Commission approach this review process?
Though it carries no legal weight, I believe the comprehensive plan can be used as a blueprint to manage that growth in a well-thought-out fashion. Using a smart-growth mentality, we can make the county an even better place for our families.
Why should voters elect you?
The last thing Jefferson County needs is another career politician at the helm. Unlike my opponent, I’m not running for County Commissioner as my “consolation prize”. My ONLY motivation for running is to be a servant to the people. As Commissioner, I will be the voice of every citizen who feels silenced, ignored, or steamrolled by their government. I will fight for the principles of faith, family, and freedom that have made this country great. In short, I will fight to make Jefferson County the best place in the nation to raise our families.
Jennifer Krouse – Jefferson County Commission Candidate (Shepherdstown District)
Web: KrouseForJCC.wixsite.com/home; Facebook: Jennifer Krouse for County Commission;
Email: KrouseForJCC@gmail.com; Tel: 304-404-7878
In 2022, there are two candidates running for the Shepherdstown seat on the Jefferson County Commission (voters can select 1):
John Doyle is the Democratic Party candidate.
Jennifer Krouse is the Republican Party candidate.
The Charles Town seat for the County Commission is also on the 2022 ballot. The candidates running for that seat are Clare Anne Ath, Dale Manuel & David Tabb.
Read More: The Observer’s Guide to the 2022 Election
By Staff Contributor