Why are the races for Island County Commissioner so important in 2012? Because we run the risk of having the Tea Party take over the Island County Commission if either of our Democratic Candidates – Helen Price-Johnson and Angie Homola – lose their re-election battles.
Island County is different from many Western Washington counties in that the Island County Commission is a combination legislative/executive board. That means the three Commissioners not only set the county policies and priorities, they also make regulations, enforce them, hire and fire employees - as well as conduct the general business of running the county.
A County Commission with two Tea Party members will set policies and priorities in accordance with the Tea Party manifesto: no regulations governing land use or the environment, no social safety net for those most in need, no support for clean water, and no funding for conservation futures.
The Island County Commission has a 2-1 majority over the Tea Party right now, but that is in danger of falling:
- Position 1 is currently held by Democrat Helen Price Johnson, who is up for re-election in 2012. This district extends from the south tip of Whidbey up to just north of Penn Cove.
- Position 2 is currently held by Democrat Angie Homola who is also up for election in 2012. This district extends from north of Penn Cove to around the Naval Air Station Whidbey.
- Position 3 is currently held by Tea Party Republican Kelly Emerson who is up for re-election in 2014. This district includes the north end of Whidbey and all of Camano Island.
A Commissioner who is up for re-election must first stand for election in his/her own district in the primary election in August. Only voters living within that commissioner’s district can vote in the primary. Then, the top two finishers from that primary will be on the ballot for the general election in November. All Island County voters can vote in the general election.
For example, in 2012, only voters living in the Oak Harbor area can vote in the primary for Angie Homola or her Republican/Tea Party opponent. But in November 2012, all Island County voters can vote for Angie or her opponent in the general election.
This means that District 3 voters (Camano and North Whidbey) will not vote at all for Commissioner in the August 2012 primaries. Only voters around Oak Harbor will be voting for Angie Homola’s Position 2 in the primary. And only Coupeville and South Whidbey voters will be voting for Helen Price-Johnson’s position 1 in the primary.
So, help us avoid a Tea Party takeover of Island County. Support both of our candidates by contributing money and volunteer time to both campaigns — even if you don’t live in their district. The loss of either position will have grave consequences for these islands we all call home.
