Josh Parsons has served as an U.S. Army Infantry Officer, a tough prosecutor, and now as a Lancaster County Commissioner. He has earned a reputation as a no-nonsense reformer and take-charge executive who stands up for our freedom and our values.
Josh is a conservative fighting for greater efficiency and effectiveness in government. He has shown how to run a truly conservative government in a County of 550,000 people – the largest Republican run county in PA. Under Josh’s leadership, while never raising taxes, Lancaster County went from around $2 million in General Fund Cash balance to over $60 million. Lancaster County now has more money in the bank than in history – through saving and being efficient – not through more taxes, which have not been raised in a decade. The County has also paid off around $100 million in debt, raised its bond rating significantly, and is on track to have repaired or replaced all of its structurally deficient bridges. Lancaster County now has the 3rd lowest county tax rate out of PA’s 67 counties and lowest of any large county – another indicator of being very careful with taxpayer money. Lancaster County is a shining example of what conservative, effective government can do.
Leading the fight for freedom. Josh led Lancaster County’s reopening in May 2020 in defiance of Governor Wolf’s unconstitutional lockdowns. Lancaster County never backed down or gave an inch despite threats and name calling by Wolf. While Wolf was hiding in his basement, Josh led regular news conferences and was a voice for freedom in the local, state, and national media. In contrast to Wolf, Lancaster County chose a course to successfully addressed COVID and the economy while also protecting citizens’ Constitutional rights. Josh continues to hold the line and fight back against those who wish to turn us into a socialist country. As the largest Republican led county in PA, with outspoken conservative leadership, Lancaster County has become a focal point for media and radical far left attacks.
Understanding leadership is about being part of a team. Josh has worked on Republican campaigns from local to presidential for many years. He worked hard with the Trump team – visiting the Trump White House four times, meeting the President and his team, having his op-ed shared by the White House social media, and collaborating with the White House staff/policy team. As Chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Caucus of County Commissioners, he has worked with Commissioners across PA, was an elected Delegate for the Republican National Convention, and helped lead rallies for our statewide candidates. Josh has also served as an elected member of Republican State Committee and on the State Committee leadership team.
Prior to being elected Commissioner, Josh served in the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, where he quickly earned a reputation as a tough prosecutor. He has taught Trial Advocacy at Penn State Dickinson School of Law for 15 years. Josh fought side by side with the police to protect the public and get justice for victims. Josh was the representative to the County SWAT Team and served in the Felony Drug Unit, which prosecutes dangerous drug dealers. Skilled in the courtroom, Josh has taught as an instructor for Trial Advocacy class at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law for the last 15 years. Josh also recognizes that justice must be combined with mercy and that we must explore new ways to stop the cycle of recidivism – he was a founding member of the Lancaster County Veterans Court team, which provides a second chance to veterans in trouble.
Josh is also a former soldier. The Army reinforced the values Josh learned growing up in Pennsylvania – integrity, responsibility, and service. As an Infantry Lieutenant, he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and then Executive Officer of an Infantry Company. After promotion to Captain, Josh was appointed one of four primary staff officers for a battalion of 870 soldiers. He supervised all logistical operations for the Battalion, which was made up of 350 vehicles and over $138 million in equipment. Among his many decorations are the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Army Parachutist Badge – awarded for becoming an Army paratrooper.
Josh understands the value of hard work and education. He grew up in rural Lancaster County where he learned the value of hard work. He has had many jobs, including as a janitor, and he has earned scholarships along the way. He is a graduate of the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, where he earned a full merit scholarship, and the University of Delaware, where he earned an Army ROTC scholarship. In addition to various Army leadership courses, Josh has also completed Harvard University’s program for senior leaders in the public sector, Driving Government Performance: Leadership Strategies that Produce Results.
Josh feels blessed to live, work, and, together with his wife, raise their three boys in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.