Josh’s Story

Commissioner Maxwell began his career in public service with the simple goal of helping his neighbors. 

After running for Mayor of his hometown of Downingtown at just 26 years old, he made history as the youngest person to win that office. In his 10 years as Mayor, he oversaw significant economic and civic improvements, including a landmark Amtrak/SEPTA train station and mixed-use development, without a single tax increase, and implemented a slate of open-source non-discrimination and environmental ordinances that have since been adopted by municipalities across the commonwealth. 

In 2020, Josh made history once again as part of the first-ever Democratic majority to win the Chester County Board of Commissioners, pulling off a resounding victory that stunned pundits nationwide.

Since then, Josh has worked tirelessly to live out progressive values in every day of his leadership. Only a few weeks into his first term, Josh and his fellow county electeds were thrown into one of the biggest health crises in modern memory. Josh was proud to be part of a team that responded swiftly, acted thoughtfully, and saved both money and lives through strategic implementation of a countywide health and economic response--even extending the county health department's resources to neighboring Delaware County, helping thousands more people in a move praised as both fiscally smart and above and beyond the call of duty.

Having grown up in the heart of a working-class community, Josh has always been a dedicated advocate for working families, and made intiatives such as additional housing projects, greater community development, and more resources for survivors of domestic violence a priority as Commissioner. Josh was proud to be part of launching the Chester County Partnership to End Homelessness, as well as overseeing the creation of a citizen committee of volunteers to review proposals from the public and private sectors to fund nearly $102 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Josh is also a committed ally to those struggling with access to mental and physical healthcare, especially during and after the pandemic. He continues working to ensure access to healthcare, having already secured Christiana Care to reopen Jennersville Hospital in Southern Chester County and overseen the creation of both a 24/7 crisis center and mobile mental health crisis teams.

With a deep respect for the natural beauty of Chester County, as well as a keen awareness that climate interventions must happen urgently and at every level of government, Josh has worked to preserve and protect the environment, including implementing the county’s Climate Action Plan, creating an Environmental and Energy Advisory Board, and activating a clean energy financing program for commercial property owners (C-PACE). Josh also worked to secure additional funds toward open space preservation and park improvements for local municipalities--adding yet more protected open space to the already impressive 30% of Chester County that is preserved.

Within County Government, Josh spearheaded the implementation of the county’s Priority Based Budgeting process, a groundbreaking approach to spending that ensures the County budget reflects community values first and foremost. He also created the first employee group for  Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and led efforts to implement the first Ethics Policy in Chester County. 

During some of the most critical and hotly contested elections in Chester County history, Josh stepped up as Chair of the County Board of Elections and ensured that Chester County's electoral procedures were fair, equitable, transparent, and thoroughly accurate. He was and remains a strong advocate for the safety and security of poll and election workers. 

In his second term, Josh will build on these successes while striving for even greater progress throughout the county.

Josh is a proud graduate of West Chester University and the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government. He serves on numerous boards and commissions throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is proud to serve as an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Chester County's own storied HBCU, Lincoln University. 

Josh lives in Downingtown with his wife, Blair Thornburgh, just half a mile from where he grew up. In his spare time, he can be found rooting for the Phillies, Eagles, or Sixers; riding his bike along the Struble Trail; or working on a carpentry project in his basement woodshop.

Boards and Commissions

• Board Member, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)

• Board Member, Chester County Conservation District (CCCD)

• Board Member, Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC)

• Board Member, Pennsylvania Convention Center (PCC)

• Board Member, West Chester Business Improvement District Authority (BID)

• Board Member, Ideas x Innovation Network (i2N)

• Ex-officio Board Member, Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC)

• Ex-officio Board Member, Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, Community and Economic Development

Josh at a glance

• A lifelong Chester County resident

• Former three-term Mayor of Downingtown

• BA, Political Science, West Chester University

• Masters of Public Administration (MPA), University of Pennsylvania

• Executive experience ranging from running a small town to global affairs and international development

Fun facts

• Ran the New York City Marathon in 2015 & 2021 to raise money for domestic violence and mental health awareness

• Eagles jersey of choice: Randall Cunningham (vintage) or Nick Foles (modern)

• Has handcrafted dozens of live-edge wooden tables as an amateur woodworker

• Favorite movie: It’s A Wonderful Life