Jim
Bednar
Sullivan County Commissioner
Sullivan County · New Hampshire
Every voter in Sullivan County votes on this seat.
“Fresh thinking by an experienced manager.”
Jim Bednar, Democratic candidate for Sullivan County Commissioner
When Jim becomes Commissioner, it will be the fourth time he has come out of retirement to serve.
Meet Jim
Seventy years of Springfield,
forty years of public
service
Jim Bednar’s family came to Springfield, New Hampshire seventy years ago. After retiring in 1973, Jim’s father moved here year-round with his wife — but continued serving communities, preaching in Claremont, Keene and Wilmot. That sense of service was instilled in Jim.
He served his country for close to forty years with USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, heading American foreign assistance programs throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and in post-Communist Czechoslovakia. Throughout all of it, Springfield was home — where Jim, his wife and their three children spent summers and holidays.
Across that career and the retirements that followed, the commitment stayed the same: support and strengthen communities. Be it small scale farmers in Africa, small businesses in Czechoslovakia, or communities in Sri Lanka recovering and rebuilding after their civil war.
Retiring full time to Springfield did not change the pattern. Jim has served on the town zoning board, the building and maintenance committee, Springfield’s 250th Celebration committee, and for the last ten years has headed the Springfield Historical Society. Under his leadership the Historical Society Museum was transformed into a place where the community gathers — and a traditional barn raising built a barn to display Springfield’s agricultural heritage. He also chairs Springfield’s Democratic Committee, building a community of like-minded neighbors to support candidates and policies that benefit the town.
Jim will bring that same commitment to supporting communities to the job of County Commissioner.
- 70 years
- of Bednars in Springfield
- 40 years
- of USAID foreign assistance work
- 10 years
- heading the Historical Society
What Jim Stands For
Four commitments
Responsible stewardship of your tax dollars
Jim spent a career answerable for public money — program budgets funded by American taxpayers, audited and justified line by line. The county portion of your tax bill deserves the same scrutiny.
Proven leadership and practical experience
Nearly forty years running USAID foreign assistance programs across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and post-Communist Czechoslovakia. Budgets, staff, and hard decisions in places where getting it wrong had consequences.
Long-term roots in Sullivan County
The Bednars came to Springfield seventy years ago. Jim raised three children on summers and holidays here, and has served the town from the zoning board to the Historical Society since retiring home.
Working together for a stronger community
Ten years leading the Springfield Historical Society turned a quiet museum into a place the town actually gathers — including a traditional barn raising to house Springfield’s agricultural heritage.
Out in the County
On the trail
Sullivan County is fifteen communities spread across 528 square miles, and all of them vote on this seat. Jim is spending the campaign the way county races are won — on forum stages and around kitchen tables, answering questions one at a time, alongside candidates of both parties.
County Government 101
The most overlooked race on the ballot
Most voters can name their state rep and their selectboard. Almost nobody can name a county commissioner — even though the county spends millions of your property tax dollars every year. Here is what the job actually covers.
Pick a topic to read more.
Get involved
County races are won on yard signs, kitchen tables, and neighbors talking to neighbors. Chip in, ask for a sign, or just email Jim a question about the county — he will answer it.
County Democrats
Jim’s candidate page