Ashland town supervisor steps down after nine months
Published on:
October 13, 2026
With the election weeks away, the board will not appoint an interim following Chris Hamilton’s resignation.
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ASHLAND―A sudden letter of resignation has left the Ashland Town Board with an empty seat.
Town Supervisor Chris Hamilton distributed the letter, dated September 5, to all Ashland officials at a town council meeting on September 14, also sharing it with neighboring government leaders.
“It was time to step back and be with my family,” Hamilton said in a follow-up conversation, explaining the unexpected step down which came with three months yet to go on his first term of office.
“This letter is to inform everyone, simultaneously, of my resignation as town supervisor effective September 30th at 11:59 p.m,” he wrote.
“My keys to the building will be left on [town administrative assistant Diane Cross’] desk prior to that time. My personal items (my scanner and picture) will be removed as well,” Hamilton stated.
“All access to my town-issued computer will cease at that time. All files will remain intact, as well as any projects I was working on, will be on there as well,” he stated.
Hamilton was elected supervisor in November of 2025, for a one-year term, succeeding longtime supervisor Richard Tompkins who retired from that post and was subsequently voted in as highway superintendent.
Hamilton had been chosen earlier that year by the local Republican party as their candidate, winning a summer caucus, 59-39, over Mark Skula and ultimately running unopposed.
Hamilton took office in January of 2026, and soon thereafter, reports began emerging of tensions arising within the council over multiple issues.
In the summer of 2026, seeking a fresh two-year term, Hamilton was again challenged by Skula at the GOP caucus, this time being defeated, 67- 15, in a stunning turnaround.
Hamilton, at that time said, “I shook hands with Mark and wish him nothing but the best. I will help him where I can,” leading up to Skula’s all but guaranteed victory next month. He is running unopposed.
In his letter to town officials, Hamilton noted “a few things to keep in mind,” among them that the “budget needs to be done still, that should be worked on by [councilman Scott Tuttle] moving forward as he is the deputy supervisor.”
No interim supervisor will be appointed, as the position will be on the ballot in the November 3 election.
Tuttle, a longtime council member, is currently filling the gap.
