Letter: Support Felici based on his experience
Published 1:30 am Saturday, July 11, 2026
Editor,
Most readers here know my liberal views. What you may not know is that I was the subject of Facebook gossip by Republicans Tim Hazelo, Stina Wilson and Morgan Cooper, where one of them said I was the “guy who writes those letters.”
With that in mind, I hope some of you will consider the following:
I am supporting Rick Felici for Island County sheriff.
Sheriff Felici has been a deputy for 30 years and has led the department for eight. Before that he served in the military police – so his law enforcement and leadership experience is extensive. His “beat” covers two islands, 500 square miles and 59,000 people (not including incorporated areas). He’s also responsible for the jail, the marine division, animal control and criminal investigations.
Many praise Chief Wasser for being available and for his presence in Langley (1.5 sq. miles; pop. 1,150); some say he’s “amazing” and “worldly yet local.”
That’s fine, but I am not basing my vote on popularity: I am considering experience, and also the fact that Sheriff Felici has the respect of those who work for him – no small matter in today’s divisive world.
Attacks against Sheriff Felici are wide-spread; I will only address two of them: that Felici is “MAGA” and that he’s hiding his G.O.P. roots.
Regarding being MAGA: Sheriff Felici ran twice before and his opponent Lane Campbell, a MAGA Constitutional Sheriff, attacked Felici for being too liberal. At the same time, our Prosecuting Attorney Greg Banks (who’s a Democrat) endorsed Felici.
Regarding Felici, the “closet Republican”: All five incumbents for county offices – including Democrats Tony Lam and Greg Banks – are running without party affiliation. All of them!
Why? Perhaps they are all tired of divisive, partisan politics.
Regarding Wasser: he voted as a Republican in 2022 but claims he was an independent; now he says he’s a Democrat but he also says the race shouldn’t be about politics. Why then are he and his supporters making the race all about divisive politics?
David Freed
Clinton
