The Long Run

Election news and commentary by Charlie Bermant

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Jefferson County Commissioner candidate Heather Dudley-Nollette discusses housing issues at the recent Connectivity Fair. Beacon photo by Charlie Bermant [/caption]

Longtime local entrepreneur Heather Dudley-Nollette will announce her candidacy for the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners this week. A Democrat, she is currently the only declared candidate for the District 1 seat.

This comes one month after incumbent Commissioner Kate Dean’s surprise retirement announcement.

"I’ve had the urge to go back to work for the government in some capacity since I moved to this community 17 years ago,”  said Dudley-Nollette, who worked in the King County Office of Management and Budget before moving to Port Townsend. “It's an exciting time to think about using the experience that I've had. And my kids are old enough.”

“I’m really excited about Heather’s candidacy,“ Dean said. “She has a lot of valuable experience with her knowledge of housing and permitting and seems to understand how the county works. I feel a lot better about leaving the position knowing that Heather is running.”

Dean said her decision to retire was “complicated” and that the job was taking a toll on her health and her family.

Dudley-Nollette, 53, now serves as Bayside Housing’s deputy executive director and expects to use that experience to address the local housing shortage. A linked priority is providing adequate mental health services.

The two issues overlap. Government agencies can find housing for an individual, but that won’t succeed if they have untreated mental health and substance issues, she said.

In addition to Bayside Housing, Dudley-Nollette has worked with the economic development group Team Jefferson, and co-founded the CoLab, a collaborative working space that has been operating since 2011 (She sold the business this year.) She is also an actor, having appeared in several local theater productions.

If elected, she hopes to “keep my toe in the artistic world to maintain balance.”

Dudley-Nollette’s local roots go back to the late 1800s. She is descended from Lucinda and Loren Hastings, one of the earliest Port Townsend families. Politics is in her blood, Loren Hastings was one of Jefferson County’s founding commissioners.

Dudley-Nollette considered running for the seat when it last opened in 2016 and was relieved when Kate Dean declared that she didn’t have to commit at that time.

“We’re thrilled that Heather is now ready to run,” said Bruce Cowan, chair of the 24th Legislative District Democrats. “She shares our party’s values and has her own networks. She knows how to collaborate and seems to know everyone who is running a small business in Jefferson County.”

Cowan said Dudley-Nollette “is not running just to run, she is running to serve.”

“Collaboration is my passion,” Dudley-Nollette said. “It creates all kinds of challenges in the process, but I think it has a magic to it that we need to put to work in this community.”

Dudley-Nollette has no declared opposition from either Democrats or Republicans. However, it is possible that someone could declare for the position during filing week (May 6-10). Often, late filers are not serious about serving; they are only running to provide voters with a choice.

Opposition candidates can be good for an untested candidate like Dudley-Nollette, as candidate forums exclude those who are unopposed. It is less positive if the opposition is unprepared or insincere.

Dudley-Nollette said she plans to bring her message to the voters, whether she is opposed or not.

The Jefferson County Republicans have not put forth a candidate for the District 1 seat since 2012.

Coming Up:

The three members of the 24th District Legislative team will hold an event at 6 pm Thursday, April 25, at the Tri-Area Community Center in Chimacum. This is not strictly a campaign event as it is intended to discuss the recent legislative session. Appearing are State Senator Kevin Van De Wege (running for State Lands Commissioner), Rep. Mike Chapman (who is running for Van De Wege’s seat), and Rep. Steve Tharinger (now unopposed for an eighth term). All are Democrats.

The Jefferson County Republican Party will hold its Lincoln Day lunch at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Port Townsend Elk’s Lodge, 555 Otto Street. The program includes State Party Chair Jim Walsh and Gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird. Tickets cost between $30 and $75 and are available at jeffgop.org.

Jefferson County District 2 Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour is the only scheduled speaker at a May 14 meeting sponsored by Indivisible Port Townsend. The event begins at 5 pm at the Unity Center. 3918 San Juan Avenue in Port Townsend.

Those hosting political events should go to https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/calendar and enter the details in our community calendar.