Three candidates emerge for Island County District 3 commissioner race

Who controls Island County’s budget and day-to-day services could shift in District 3, where three candidates emerged for the commissioner seat covering Whidbey Island north of Oak Harbor and all of Camano Island. The board of commissioners is the county’s legislative and executive authority, so the race carries consequences well beyond party labels.

Matthew Van Pelt, an Oak Harbor resident and construction company owner, filed first for the Republican nomination. He will face two Democrats from Camano Island in the Aug. 4 primary: Grant Shaw and Satin Arnett. Under Island County rules, races with more than two candidates are narrowed to two in the primary.

The race lands at a moment when the county board’s balance could change. The current commissioners are Melanie Bacon, a Democrat from District 1; Jill Johnson, a Republican from District 2; and Janet St. Clair, a Democrat from District 3. St. Clair’s term runs through December 2026, and the outcome in District 3 could decide whether the board stays split between two Democrats and one Republican or moves in another direction.

Shaw entered the contest with a familiar profile on Camano Island. He had already filed earlier in the year with the state Public Disclosure Commission and is known locally as “Granta Claus” for portraying Santa on Camano. Shaw also serves on the Freedom Park Association board, and campaign material says he received the Jeannie Ovenell Spirit Award from the Camano Island Chamber.

Arnett describes herself as a community organizer, nonprofit leader and equity advocate. Her campaign site says she founded the Stanwood-Camano Alliance for Equity. Both Democrats are based on Camano, while Van Pelt is running from Oak Harbor, underscoring the different constituencies inside a district that stretches from North Whidbey to Camano.

Filing week ran May 4-8 across Washington, and Island County’s ballot began to fill quickly. As of noon Friday, 19 candidates had filed for county government seats. Countywide, Auditor Sheilah Crider drew attention by filing as an independent after previously being a Republican. The clerk race drew four candidates, with Amber Sewell of Oak Harbor and Dierdre Butler of Coupeville on the Democratic side, plus Maria Hazelo of Oak Harbor and Toni Adams of Freeland on the Republican side.

Other county offices are less crowded. Sheriff Rick Felici is seeking reelection as an independent against Langley Police Chief Tavier Wasser, while the prosecutor, treasurer and coroner incumbents are running unopposed. State House races in District 10 also have challengers, setting up a broader election cycle that could reshape Island County leadership at both the county and state levels.