ELECTIONS 2024: Incumbent facing two challengers for Island County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat

Isabella Loy reports on the Island County elections for the Stanwood Camano News.

Incumbent Jill Johnson is running against two candidates for the Island County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat.

Johnson, a Republican, is running against Republican Phil Collier and Democrat Christina Elliott.

Each candidate submitted information for the voters’ pamphlet and most candidates submitted responses to a questionnaire sent out by the Stanwood Camano News.

They Said It

“As the current Chair of the Board of Island County Commissioners, I am committed to serving another term to bring consistency and experience to the board,” [Jill Johnson] said in an email to SC News. “I not only understand but have actively managed the county’s budget and operational processes, offering insight into the necessary improvements our county needs to make as we grow and move forward.”

Johnson said her history in Island County government is crucial for completing the county’s Comprehensive Plan update — which must be submitted to the state in 2025.

“As a lifelong Island County resident, I am deeply connected to the community, with diverse relationships on Camano and Whidbey Islands,” she said. “I am dedicated to ensuring our policies and spending reflect the values and interests of our communities.”

While updating the Comprehensive Plan, Johnson said managing growth would be a priority.

“The Comprehensive Plan outlines the pathway for balancing growth and natural resource protection through locally adopted regulations, which we are currently updating,” she said. “By design, the Comprehensive Plan asks us to explore our values and goals related to housing, economic development, climate resiliency, transportation and infrastructure, etc.”

“This process lends itself to a balanced-growth approach focusing on the tensions and values associated with land use,” she added.

Johnson said she is committed to highlighting the needs of both Whidbey and Camano if reelected.

“I meet with people from Camano Island, attend events and activities on Camano Island, and have relatives and close friends who reside on the island,” she said. “The job of a commissioner is to represent all citizens of Island County regardless of location, political affiliation, income, etc.”

In his voters’ pamphlet statement, it says Phil Collier is a lifelong resident of Whidbey Island, a devoted husband of 46 years, father of four and grandfather of three.

“Phil has spent the past 49 years serving the community as the owner of Hilltop Auto in Oak Harbor,” his statement reads. “An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, Phil believes in environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, individual property rights and government accountability.”

His statement says that Collier is looking forward to bringing his strong work ethic, management experience and business acumen to the Board of Island County Commissioners to help address the issues of Island County’s rising costs and housing shortages.

[Christina Elliott] said she is running because she families to be able to afford to live in Island County.

“As lifelong renters, it was important for my husband and I to put down roots here, and we did, but it wasn’t without challenges,” she added. “We would like to see more families like ours have an opportunity to do the same, but we need leaders who will work to lower costs of housing, healthcare and other necessities.”

“With over a decade of experience as an intellectual property attorney, I’m good at spotting immediate opportunities and liabilities, and also potential consequences of the actions we take today,” she said. “We must plan for the next generation so they do not inherit the same set of problems we’re now faced with.”

When planning for affordable housing and growth in Island County, Elliott said it will be important for her to communicate with both Whidbey and Camano communities.

“I believe it is the job of every elected official to meet with all members of the public — including constituents that may be outside of their specific district,” she said. “I am committed to responding to emails and phone calls and taking meetings with people throughout Island County.”

Elliott said she is not one to make rash decisions, rather, she takes time to research issues.

“This means I’ll spend even more time with Camano citizens to receive their direct feedback on issues the county is considering on their behalf,” she said. “I am empathetic to the distance between our islands and will make myself available on Camano on a regular basis so as to both immerse myself in life there and to provide an in-person opportunity with residents to discuss important issues together.”

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On The Ballot in August 2024

Island County Commissioner, District 1	Marie Shimada (D-Freeland) Melanie Bacon (D-Langley), the incumbent Steven Myres (R-Freeland) Wanda Grone (R-Langley)
Island County Commissioner, District 2	Phil Collier (R-Oak Harbor) Christina Elliott (D-Oak Harbor) Jill Johnson (R-Oak Harbor), the incumbent