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Gilbert elected council president after two roll-call votes; vice-president Fleming chosen
Summary
After competing nominations, the Washington County Council elected Brad Gilbert president and Gerald Fleming vice-president following two roll-call votes that split the seven-member council along preference lines.
The Washington County Council elected Brad Gilbert president and Gerald Fleming vice-president during its joint session with the county commissioners on Feb. 2, 2026.
Nominations opened for council president when Councilmember Preston Shell nominated Andrew Davisson and Councilmember Gerald Fleming nominated Brad Gilbert. The council closed nominations and held two roll-call votes. The first vote for Davisson failed 3-4 (Shell, Wischmeier and Davisson voting aye). The second vote for Gilbert passed 4-3 (Abbott, Fleming, Armstrong and Gilbert voting aye), and the chair acknowledged Gilbert as council president.
Councilmember Andrew Davisson defended his candidacy, saying, "This role is about responsibility and I am ready to serve," and urged cooperation among elected officials. After the presidency vote, councilmembers elected Fleming to the vice-presidency on a 4-3 tally; Fleming said the body must work together and exercise caution when citing figures in debate.
The reorganizational votes occurred at the start of the Feb. 2 joint meeting, which also handled routine business including approval of prior minutes. The leadership change will direct which councilmember presides over meetings and agenda flow; no ordinance or policy change accompanied the election.
The council proceeded to other agenda items, including salary-ordinance revisions and appointments.
