
Justin Douglas speaking to reporters at the Dauphin County Administration Building after becoming to Chair of the Dauphin County Commissioners on Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo: Sean Kitchen)
Justin Douglas, a former pastor, helped Democrats flip Dauphin County for the first time in nearly 100 years. He became the county’s top commissioner on Wednesday with the help of the board’s sole Republican.
Justin Douglas became Dauphin County’s top commissioner a little more than a year into his first term on Wednesday.
The shake-up happened in front of a packed Dauphin County Commissioners meeting when Commissioner Mike Pries, the board’s sole Republican, made a motion to name Douglas as Chair of Board.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for Dauphin County,” Douglas said in a statement.
“County government is not about political division—it is about the efficient delivery of services to all our citizens. We are open for business to everyone and welcome participation from the many, not just the few. This principle continues to guide our work as we strive to build a government that reflects and serves all residents of Dauphin County.”
Related: Bomb thrower or bridge builder? Justin Douglas reflects on his first year changing Dauphin County.
Douglas replaces George Hartwick, who served as county commissioner since 2003, and under the new reorganization, Pries will serve as Vice Chair and Hartwick will serve as Secretary.
Douglas, a former progressive pastor, gained local and national attention in Nov. 2023 after helping Democrats flip the Dauphin County Commissioners office for the first time in close to 100 years.
Wednesday’s move happened after Hartwick allegedly brokered multiple deals behind Douglas’ and Pries’ backs.
Pennlive reported in October that Douglas and Pries were left out of the selection process for the county’s next health care provider until the last minute, raising concerns about the bidding process. Later that month, concerns about a bridge inspection contract were raised after it was awarded to a company associated with a former county commissioner.
Douglas told reporters following Wednesday’s meeting that he is looking to bring stability to Dauphin County government and rebuild the bidding process for county contracts.
“We also need to bring a lot of stability to county government. I don’t want this to be a parade or a sideshow. This should be good government,” Douglas said.
Douglas also pushed back on criticism about his lack of experience as commissioner and highlighted his willingness to work with Republican commissioner Pries.
“Look, I’m a progressive, I’m in the Democratic Party, but my number one goal is to get shit done. If I can’t get shit done, I’ll work with whoever will.”
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Pennsylvanians and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at The Keystone has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Pennsylvania families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.


Egg-traordinary theft: $40,000 worth of eggs stolen in Franklin County
As the price of eggs continues to increase due to the largest outbreak of bird flu in a decade, 100,000 eggs valued at $40,000 were stolen in...

Struggling with your mental health after surviving a disaster? Here’s how to look after yourself
By MARIAM FAM Associated Press There's the initial shock and chaos in a collective disaster like the deadly and destructive California wildfires....

Victims identified in Philadelphia plane crash as investigation continues
Officials said an 'expansive' impact zone was left by the Philadelphia plane crash that killed all six people on the air ambulance bound for Mexico,...

5 injured in fatal Philadelphia plane crash remain hospitalized, 3 in critical condition
Mayor Cherelle Parker said 22 people were injured and five of them remain hospitalized in Friday's crash of a Mexico-bound air ambulance in which...

Seven dead, 19 injured in air ambulance crash in Philadelphia
The small plane carrying six people, including a child who had just undergone treatment at a hospital, crashed just after takeoff from the small...