Know before you vote: Candidates, issues in Barnstable County Regional Commission race

Editor's note: This story will be updated as individuals announce their candidacies. It is part of a series meant to provide voters with information ahead of the state primary Sept. 3 and state election Nov. 5.

The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners, made up of three elected officials, will hold elections for two seats this year. The primary election is Sept. 3 and the general election is Nov. 5.

The deadline to register to vote, update your voter registration, or change your party is 10 days before any election or town meeting.

As of March 14, the two incumbents running for the county commission seats are Democrat Mark Forest of Yarmouth and Democrat Sheila Lyons of Wellfleet. Republican Ron Beaty of West Barnstable, a former county commissioner, has announced he's running as well.

The third seat of the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners is up for reelection in 2026, and is currently held by Ronald Bergstrom.

What were the issues in the last election?

Seeing the county through the COVID-19 pandemic was a concern with voters for in the 2020 county commission race. So too was knowledge of Cape Cod, an ability to set and achieve goals, experience, knowledge of science and the region's environment, and fiscal conservatism. Water supply protection, wastewater planning, affordable housing, homelessness, addiction and climate change were also among the issues mentioned by candidates.

In the 2022 election, candidates campaigned on cost-effective government services, the threat to the Cape's environment and wastewater management, transparency and fiscal sanity, and improved cooperation the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates.

What towns or areas does this seat cover?

These seats are at-large, covering all of Cape Cod.

What does the person elected to this seat do?

County commissioners oversee and supervise county departments and county services — also managing the county budget and allocating funds to the various Cape towns.

How much does it pay?

The annual salary is $15,000.

How often reelected?

Each seat is up for reelection every four years.

Who are the incumbents?

Mark Forest and Sheila Lyons are the incumbents in the 2024 race.

So far, who has filed papers to run for the job or seek reelection? How much money do they have in their campaign so far, as of the latest date?

As of March 14, Mark Forest, Sheila Lyons and Ron Beaty have all said they are running for the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners seats. According to the state Office of Campaign Finance, Forest has $1,565.91 in his campaign, Lyons has $7,700.27 in her campaign and Beaty has $20.00 in his campaign.

Walker Armstrong reports on all things Cape and Islands, primarily focusing on courts, transportation and the Joint Base Cape Cod military base. Contact him at WArmstrong@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jd__walker.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Top issues in the race for Barnstable County Regional Commission seats