PORT TOWNSEND — Two incumbent Jefferson County commissioners announced Tuesday that they intend to seek re-election this year.
David Sullivan, 60, and Phil Johnson, 66 — who were both first elected in 2004 — will seek third terms.
“The worldwide recession that has challenged us since 2008 has profoundly affected the people of Jefferson County,” Sullivan said.
“We have more to do, and I am committed to working for the best environmental, social and economic future.”
“County government has done a lot even though the budget has been tight,” Johnson said.
“I think the county is running very smoothly right now.”
Johnson is facing a challenge from former Port Townsend Mayor Geoff Masci, who announced his candidacy this week, while Sullivan is currently unopposed.
Filing begins Monday and ends May 18.
If there are more than three candidates for a particular office, the top-two vote-getters in the Aug. 7 primary will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.
Johnson said he would continue to work on several environmental initiatives, including a moratorium on net pens and the installation of an air monitor at Grant Street Elementary School.
Sullivan said he was concerned with declining state support for transportation in the ferry and highway system.
Sullivan said the next four years will be a period of transition for the county, since three elected department heads — Assessor Jack Westerman III, Treasurer Judi Morris and Auditor Donna Eldridge — have announced they will retire after the 2014 election.
“With all these retirements, we will need to prepare for the next generation of leaders,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he expected the next few years to be more conciliatory than the recent past.
“I think that in the near future, we will see people on all sides of the fence working together on different issues,” he said.
“There is a lot of common ground, and it doesn’t make sense for us to be working against each other.”
Johnson’s District 1 includes Port Townsend, while Sullivan’s District 2 includes Cape George, Port Hadlock and Marrowstone Island.
District 3 Commissioner John Austin, who is not up for re-election this year, represents Port Ludlow as well as the southern and western portions of the county.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
