County Executive Election 2026: How the Rhein-Neckar District Elected Its New County Executive

A Clear Decision: Manuel Just Becomes the New County Executive of the Rhein-Neckar District

The election of the county executive in the Rhein-Neckar District is a central event in regional governance. With the term of the incumbent county executive ending on April 30, 2026, a new appointment was necessary. In February 2026, the County Council in Wiesloch elected Manuel Just as the new county executive with a clear majority. The election process was characterized by careful organization, ensuring both transparency and legal certainty.

Preparation for the County Executive Election

The County Council of the Rhein-Neckar District had already set the course for the election in the autumn of 2025. The application period for the position of county executive ended on November 3, 2025. During this time, two candidates presented themselves: Manuel Just, mayor of the city of Weinheim, and Ralf Frühwirt, a lecturer from Leimen. Both candidates were deemed suitable by a special decision-making committee and forwarded to the Ministry of the Interior, Digitalization, and Communities.

On December 17, 2025, the Ministry confirmed the designation of both candidates. This laid the groundwork for the election by the County Council. The Council unanimously decided to establish an election committee responsible for conducting the election. The committee consisted of First State Official Hildebrandt as chairperson, one representative from each faction, and District Administrative Officer Koder as secretary.

Election Procedure and Results

The county executive election took place on February 3, 2026, in the cultural center Palatin in Wiesloch. At that time, the County Council consisted of 104 members, two of whom – Manuel Just and Ralf Frühwirt – were not eligible to vote. In total, 96 eligible county council members were present. The election was conducted according to the principles of majority voting with a secret ballot in accordance with § 39 (5) of the County Ordinance (LKrO).

Each county council member received a ballot, which was designed according to a predefined template. The voting took place in alphabetical order of the council members, without the use of ballot envelopes. After the voting, the election committee counted the votes. Manuel Just received 72 valid votes, Ralf Frühwirt 20, and there were four abstentions. Thus, Just clearly achieved the necessary qualified majority of 53 votes and was appointed as the new county executive.

Impacts and Outlook

The election of Manuel Just marks a clear political shift in the Rhein-Neckar District. As an experienced mayor of Weinheim, Just brings extensive knowledge of local politics. The clear majority in his favor demonstrates the confidence of the council factions in his ability to lead the district for the next eight years.

The election process itself was marked by transparency and thorough preparation. The election committee, clear organizational rules, and compliance with legal requirements ensured a smooth procedure. Additionally, the candidates' presentations to the County Council provided the opportunity to present their visions and priorities.

In the future, particular attention will be given to the topics of digitalization, climate protection, and regional cooperation in the Rhein-Neckar District. Manuel Just has already actively worked in these areas in his role as mayor and can now bring this experience to the district level.

Conclusion: A Milestone in Regional Governance

The county executive election in 2026 in the Rhein-Neckar District was a milestone in regional governance. It illustrates how transparent, legally compliant, and democratic local decision-making processes can be. The clear election of Manuel Just underscores the willingness of the County Council to appoint an experienced politician to the top position of the district. In the coming years, his leadership style and decisions will significantly shape the course of the Rhein-Neckar District.