The first candidate has jumped into the race to serve in the position now held by Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson.

Robert “Jeff” Lauderdale has filed as a Republican candidate in the 2012 race to represent District 1 on the Island County Board of Commissioners.

Lauderdale, 60, is a Coupeville resident who retired to Whidbey Island in 2006. He has been a consistent critic of the county’s septic tank inspection program and fees, as well as a proponent of lower taxes.

Lauderdale registered as a candidate in the race with the state on July 19. Debbie Cunningham, a Greenbank resident, is listed as his campaign manager, according to the website for the Public Disclosure Commission, the state’s watchdog on campaign financing.

His campaign currently has $1,000 in contributions; a $500 donation by CGI Financial of San Diego, Calif. that was reported on July 7, and a $500 loan that Lauderdale made to his campaign on July 12 for next year’s Primary Election.

Cunningham is listed as the president of CGI Financial, according to the company’s website.

Price Johnson, a Democrat, is serving her first term as county commissioner.

District 1 starts near the southern end of the greater Oak Harbor area and includes Central Whidbey and the entire South End.

Lauderdale said Monday he was still in the exploratory stage of running.

“I’m not really ready to announce,” he said.

No other candidates have yet filed to run in the 2012 elections in Island County.