Daviess County Commissioner Nathan Gabhart has announced he will not seek re-election when his current term ends, bringing an 11-year tenure as District 2 Commissioner to a close. Gabhart, who began serving while his youngest son was in kindergarten and will see him graduate next year, said the decision reflects his belief that “three terms is long enough” and that “it is time to get new ideas and new leadership in place.” Gabhart, a three-term commissioner, pointed to several key accomplishments during his time in office. Under his leadership, the county lowered its local income tax from 1.75% to 1.5%, hard-surfaced over 100 miles of gravel roads, implemented a long-term road improvement plan, and increased buggy permit and road damage fees. His tenure also saw the successful consolidation of Washington and County 911 dispatch services and the creation of a new EMS service equipped with modern equipment. Other major infrastructure improvements during Gabhart’s service included the rebuilding of the Washington and Montgomery overhead bridges, completion of the Odon/Cannelburg road project, and a full refurbishment of the Daviess County Courthouse into a state-of-the-art facility. He also helped consolidate county offices into a single annex and played a role in streamlining economic development funding. Gabhart credits his colleagues and county officials for their dedication and teamwork. With the February 2026 filing deadline approaching, Gabhart announced his decision early to allow potential candidates time to prepare. He concluded by thanking constituents for their trust and affirming that all decisions made during his time in office were based on what he believed to be in the best interest of Daviess County.
