Candidate Q&A: Howard James Price Jr.

Howard James Price Jr. of Richmond is running for Wayne County Commissioner District 1 as a Republican candidate in the 2026 primary election.

Bio highlights: MS Aeronautical Engineering from Air Force (AF) Institute of Technology, Master of Business Administration from Phillips University, AF Pilot 20 years, Flew B52 Bombers and T37 Trainers, Managed Millions of Training Dollars as Flight and Section Commanders, Led a Base Disaster Preparedness Team, Studied Russian Missile Systems at AF Foreign Technology Division, Retired from AF after 20 years, Instructed AF Student Pilots in Full Motion and Screen Wrap Around Simulators for 25 years. During retirement, involved in volunteer activities, Food Pantry, Model Railroad Clubs, Society for Preservation and Use of Resources, Park events, Neighborhood Cleanups, Richmond Tree Commission.

Reasons you ran: I received requests from concerned citizens, whose opinions I value, to run for Wayne County Commissioner. I told them I would think about it and do some research. After researching the office, talking with citizens in the county, watching commission meetings, reviewing commission minutes, discussing the possibility with friends and most importantly, talking with my wife Linda, I am running for office.

Top priorities: Making sure each decision by the Wayne County Commission is what’s best for Wayne County is a number one priority. Commission actions cannot be for personal or political reasons. Blight is a very important issue for me. Abandoned vehicles, dilapidated houses, and piles of trash must be addressed. How can a county attract business if the county looks like it is falling apart? Getting rid of blight is a top priority that will take coordinated action with all governments in Wayne County taking legal action if necessary. Economic development throughout the county is a priority item. Each area of the county putting their assets together can create a synergistic effect for the benefit of all.  

Specific skills: I take a proactive and hands-on approach to my work. One thing I’ve learned from serving in the Air Force for 20 years, you must show up. If you’re not there to tackle a problem, forget it. Being present is 50 percent and the other 50 is rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. To do all that, you must pay attention to what’s being communicated. I use active listening to fully understand the content of someone’s words not just hearing them.  

Should continue: In my travel through the county, the bridges are well maintained. I will keep the existing bridge program. Safe bridges are extremely important for economic development as well as ordinary travel.

Needs to change: There needs to be more transparency about Commissioner activity. Transparency is a word you hear constantly in connection with how to make government better. So, what does it mean to me. It means making documented actions understandable to the average person like me. For instance, read minutes for Commission meetings. Some entries might as well be French for what I get out of them. The recent controversy with the County Coroner became what he said she said. Where is documented evidence of misuse? Documentation is transparency that allows confidence in the government. Documentation is a cornerstone of transparency.

Accept election results: Absolutely.

Funding strategies: There needs to be a thorough examination of where every nickel is being spent. The county can’t afford to be careless with the taxpayer’s money. In addition to that, checks and balances must be in place to ensure money is not pilfered but goes to its intended use. Currently, there are grants and other programs available. While those exist, the county should compete for those. And, if by chance, there is money remaining at the end of the fiscal year, it needs to be invested wisely in underfunded critical areas or accounts earning a healthy return.  

Engaging the public: Encouraging attendance at the public commissioner’s meeting won’t work that well. Meeting time is 8:30AM. Working people probably can’t attend. Living 30 minutes or longer from the meeting just adds extra morning time to your day. I will take the opposite approach. Go to the citizens. Be involved in community meetings and activities. Let citizens know who you are on a personal level. Encourage them to speak out when you visit. Make sure they have your contact information before you leave. Finally, follow up is so important. Neglecting that negates all your hard work.  

Other comments: Common sense goes a long way. Richmond is my home. I grew up here. Over the years away, our family vacations consisted of two-week visits to home in the summer and again during Christmas. When asked why I decided to move back, I said my family is here, I have a memory on every corner, and it’s home. So, do I care about Richmond, sure I do, but Richmond is not an island to itself. Richmond is in Wayne County. I’ve heard from many that Wayne County areas west of Richmond are ignored. If I’m elected, I promise that will not happen. Wayne County working as one will make the eastern part of the state a go-to destination.