Washington County Commission candidate: Brian Wyatt

Democratic candidate Brian Wyatt is running for Washington County Commission against incumbent Republican candidate Greg Matherly. The Johnson City Press asked a series of questions, and this is his response: The following answers have been edited for clarity. Q: If elected, what goals do you plan to work toward for the next four years? A: I'll focus on three things: integrity, accountability and progress. Integrity means major land-use decisions (like the BWXT rezoning or data center proposals) get the full, careful review residents deserve before a vote is cast, not after. Accountability means transparent budgets, regularly published minutes and clear public reporting on how tax dollars are spent, especially on capital projects and public safety. Progress means planning for the growth that's already coming to Washington County: infrastructure in place before new development is approved, protection for residential neighborhoods and real attention to affordable housing, groceries and healthcare access. I also want to keep investing in our public schools and public spaces and make sure our sheriff's deputies, EMS and first responders have the staffing they need. This isn't about national politics. It's about showing up prepared for the decisions that shape our local community. Q: What experience equips you to take on an elected official role? A: I've been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for 26 years, with the last decade of those spent as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton. That means I've spent most of my professional life listening to people who don't always agree with each other and helping them find a way forward together — while also managing a budget, overseeing capital projects and being accountable to a congregation for how those decisions get made. Before ministry, I worked in computer science and web design, which trained me to solve problems carefully and methodically rather than jumping to conclusions. I'm a chaplain and leader with Scouting America Troop 240, a former board member of Johnson City American Little League and a volunteer track coach at University School at ETSU, all roles that have put me in conversations with families across this district and let me see firsthand what they actually need from their local government. Those experiences taught me that prudent preparation, financial planning and a focus on relationships are the keys to getting the conservative results that will leave Washington County better than we found it. Q: If elected, what, if anything, will you do differently during your term? A: A commitment to transparency that isn't just a talking point. I will work for regularly published minutes, clear reporting on major expenditures and long-term financial planning that helps us avoid unnecessary tax increases down the road. Residents in District 6 deserve a commissioner who treats every major decision, from rezoning requests to public facility closures, with the same level of scrutiny and honesty, regardless of who's asking. That's what I'm offering, and I would be grateful for your vote on August 6. Q: Why can constituents trust you to make educated decisions? A: Trust is earned by showing your work. On something like the BWXT rezoning, I don't think residents want a commissioner who's already made up their mind — they want one who asks hard questions, reads the reports and can explain the reasoning behind a vote in plain language afterward. That's the habit I bring: prepare thoroughly, listen before deciding and be willing to say plainly why I voted the way I did. I plan to stay accessible to District 6 residents — not just around election season — and to treat public input on things like the Freedom Hall pool closure as something that shapes the outcome, not a formality that happens after the decision's already been made. Q: How will you ensure your decisions align with what your constituents want? A: No response.