NRA Lifetime Member
John is a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association.
County Commissioner, District 3
Federal, county, and municipal service
Purple Heart recipient and combat veteran
Home with his wife, Elizabeth, and their son
Experience that knows the work
John’s campaign brings together military service, public-safety experience, elected county leadership, and hands-on work in government administration.
About John
John served in the U.S. Army in Kosovo and Iraq and received the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device. He later served the residents of District 3 on the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County from 2014 through 2022, including two years as vice president.
His professional work spans public policy, municipal administration, capital planning, grant development, and strategic program management. He lives in Mechanicsville with his wife, Elizabeth, and their son, John Edward II.
What people are talking about
Read John’s positions on taxes, growth, county debt, countywide representation, and decisions being made in Annapolis.
Educator recommended
The Education Association of St. Mary’s County has endorsed John O’Connor for Board of County Commissioners, District 3.
Watch John’s complete candidate interview and read every answer in his Board of County Commissioners questionnaire.

Constitutional rights
John is an avid supporter and defender of the Second Amendment, a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association, and the county commissioner who led the initiative that made St. Mary’s County a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
John is a Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association.
Read coverage of the county’s 2020 Second Amendment Sanctuary designation.
Open the official BoardDocs portal to search for and review the adopted resolution.
Information and links are provided for biographical and public-record purposes and do not state or imply an endorsement.
See campaign updates, community events, new issue statements, and ways to get involved.

Republican • District 3

John E. O’Connor is the Republican candidate for County Commissioner, District 3.