Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington resigns after gesturing at colleague

Washington County Commission Chair Kathryn Harrington announced her resignation Monday, nearly a week after she made an obscene gesture toward Commissioner Nafisa Fai.

Harrington initially said she would step back as chair but stay on the commission and focus on her mental health. The rest of the commission responded that if she remained, they would strip her county salary and require her to attend meetings virtually.

Her last day will be Oct. 2. Vice Chair Jerry Willey will lead meetings in the meantime, with Commissioner Jason Snider filling in if Willey is absent.

Harrington had already decided not to seek re-election, and her term was set to expire at the end of the year. The resignation puts her departure three months early.

Commissioners Nafisa Fai and Pam Treece are running to replace her as chair.