BRINNON— Party preference doesn’t necessarily affect the job performance of elected officials, said several candidates at a forum this week.
“The Washington state constitution was written by people who had a different attitude about political parties, and if it was being written today, these would not be partisan offices,” Jefferson County Superior Court Clerk Ruth Gordon told about 60 people at a forum at the Brinnon Booster Club on Monday night.
Gordon is running unchallenged for a third term in the Nov. 4 general election.
“I’ve been in office since 2005 and have been pretty closely connected to the Democrats, but nobody has ever asked me to take any action on behalf of my party in the course of doing my job, and I would guess that’s true for everyone in the courthouse,” she said.
“But it’s not a bad thing for people to know which way you lean in terms of personal politics, even though it has nothing to do with how I run my office,” said Gordon, 60.
The forum featured candidates in contested races for county assessor, prosecuting attorney, District Court judge, public utility district commissioner and sheriff, along with uncontested races for clerk, treasurer and assessor.
The only county office not represented was county commissioner, although both candidates, Kathleen Kler and Dan Toepper, attended the forum.
The PUD commissioner and District Court judge positions are nonpartisan.
Aside from Toepper, who is running with no political party preference, all the candidates are running as Democrats.
Port Townsend attorney Mike Haas, 53, who is challenging incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Scott Rosekrans, 62, for a second term, said he is a Democrat because he identifies with the party’s values.
“It’s a good thing for you to challenge yourself and other people. For that reason, I’m saddened there aren’t any Republicans on the ballot this year,” Haas said.
“It’s important to have dialogue from both sides of the aisle. As you challenge each other’s ideas, you get a better idea where the truth lies.”
Rosekrans said politics figured in his defeat in a prosecutor race in Texas prior to his moving to Port Townsend.
“I was told by a member of the Democratic Party that if I prosecuted [a case involving a judge], it would ruin my career,” Rosekrans said. “I went ahead, which is why we are having this discussion today.”
Party politics have been mentioned in races for sheriff and treasurer.
David Stanko, 66, a candidate for sheriff, initially entered the race as a Democrat but withdrew when the party endorsed his opponent, Wendy Davis. 47.
“I said I would run as a Democrat if they supported me, and they didn’t, so I was a man of my word and withdrew from the race,” Stanko said.
“I am now a moderate independent. I am running with a ‘D’ on my name because I can’t take it off until after the election.”
Said Davis: “One thing I’ve learned in this race is that you are what you are, and if you’re not, then don’t be disingenuous to the community and say that you are something when you are really something different.
“I am a Democrat because I believe in their ideals to treat all people fairly and equitably,” she said.
Stacie Hoskins, 43, who is running unopposed for treasurer, said she was approached by former Treasurer Judi Morris, a Republican, to fill out an unexpired term but responded that she was a Democrat.
“She said it didn’t matter. She knew that I’d do a good job,” Hoskins said.
“I’ve worked at the county for 14 years, and no one knew that I was a Democrat.”
Auditor candidate Rose Ann Carroll, 63, had a similar story.
“I never declared my party until I filed this year because I didn’t think that the whole world needed to know my preference,” she said.
“I am not endorsed by any party. If I am elected, I will run the office per state law.”
Carroll and Judy Maves Klatt, 52, are running for the position now held by Donna Eldridge, who is retiring.
“When you are running the Auditor’s Office, you are not making any political decisions,” Klatt said.
“My political background doesn’t matter so much, in the same way that Donna’s being a Republican didn’t make a difference as to how she did her job.”
Auditor Jeff Chapman, 64, who is running unopposed for his first elected term, said his office had no political connections.
“The real question is whether these offices should be appointed, where people can actively compete for the job rather than running for election,” he said.
Kenneth Collins, 67, of Nordland and Anthony De Leo, 65, of Port Hadlock both said the PUD could make better use of available energy incentives.
“I believe in energy efficiency and conservation and what Jefferson County can do to incentivize people,” Collins said.
Added De Leo: “We shouldn’t be just taking money from our customers every month. We should be helping them make their homes more energy-efficient.”
District Court Judge Jill Landes, 64, who estimated she has presided over 70,000 hearings and 200 trials throughout eight years in office, said she has been “careful to treat each case carefully and impartially with the respect they deserve.”
Said challenger Cheryl Potebnya, 61, a former deputy prosecutor: “I think we need a different style of leadership in the court where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
A forum at 7 tonight at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St., will feature 24th District incumbent Steve Tharinger, 65, a Sequim Democrat, and challenger Thomas Greisamer, 73, a Moclips Republican, as well as Collins and De Leo.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
