The Republican candidate for the Island County assessor’s post has faced repeated court battles in year’s past for not paying his bills.

Records in Island County superior and district courts show that Don Mason, the GOP candidate for county assessor, has been the subject of at least three lawsuits over unpaid bills that date back to 1990. The most recent lawsuit appears to be a 1999 case involving an unpaid debt Mason owed to Allied Credit Companies.

Mason this week acknowledged that he had financial difficulties in his past that led to companies filing lawsuits to garnish his wages. But he also said his financial house is now in order and added that his personal finances shouldn’t be an issue in the campaign.

Mason is challenging Dave Mattens, a Democrat, for the assessor’s job. Current assessor Tom Baenen is not seeking re-election.

“To the best of my knowledge and recollection, the debts in question were discharged by a regular, mutually agreed upon payment plan and paid in full years ago,” Mason said.

Mason said he struggled financially following a divorce in 1990.

“I’ve made certain that I am able to meet all of my cost of living expenses. I’ve remarried and bought a home. I’ve purchased several cars and paid for them. Today, my personal credit rating is excellent.

I’ve had some hard lessons but I have learned from the experience,” he said.

“Frankly, I’m a little confused what all this has to do with the election,” Mason said.

His campaign manager, Mary Jane Aurdal, agrees.

“Don’s financial background is sterling. He’s a married homeowner and taxpayer; if he had problems in the past, he’s settled them,” Aurdal said.

During his campaign for assessor, Mason has repeatedly vowed to make prudent use of taxpayers’ money. He has stressed personal integrity and his attention to details.

The assessor’s office had a budget of $1.1 million in 2006, and the proposed budget for 2007 is $1.2 million. Most of the assessor’s budget is devoted to salaries and benefits that are set by the county commissioners.

Though Mason’s personal finances have not been an issue in the race, his campaign finances have been scrutinized by opponents.

In late September, the Committee to Elect Dave Mattens

considered asking the Public Disclosure Commission to investigate alleged omissions of campaign expenses by Mason. The Public Disclosure Commission is the state agency that serves as a watchdog on campaign finances.

Mattens’ committee later declined to ask for an investigation.

According to the latest records filed by Mason’s campaign with the state Public Disclosure Commission, Mason’s campaign reported $8,657 in cash on hand, and liabilities of $27,906 — a shortfall of $19,249 — on Oct. 16.

Jeanne Hunsinger, Mason’s campaign treasurer, said the deficit is largely due to timing.

“The liabilities include $18,300 in loans that may or may not be paid back. Eventually, those loans may become donations and assets,” Hunsinger said. “At the time of filing, the campaign owed $9,606 to The Record for ads, $5,000 of which has since been paid and the next filing will reflect that.”

“It’s not bad at all for a political financial situation,” she added.

Including loans from himself and his wife, Mason has raised an unexpectedly large amount of money for his campaign. His total cash and in-kind expenditures totaled $30,120 as of Oct. 16.

During Baenen’s first run for county assessor in 1994, Baenen spent about $6,900. He ran unopposed in later years.

Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or jvanderford@southwhidbeyrecord.com.