Commissioner crosses party lines with Democrat endorsement

Republican Island County Commissioner Aubrey Vaughan issued a surprise endorsement last week. Vaughan broke party lines Thursday and endorsed Democratic candidate Karla Jacks to fill the District 3 seat he currently holds.

Republican Island County Commissioner Aubrey Vaughan issued a surprise endorsement last week. Vaughan broke party lines Thursday and endorsed Democratic candidate Karla Jacks to fill the District 3 seat he currently holds.

Vaughan was appointed by Island County commissioners Jill Johnson and Helen Price Johnson to fill the vacancy left by Republican Kelly Emerson, who gave a week’s notice of her resignation this past May.

Vaughan failed to gain enough votes to advance past the August primary into November’s general election.

“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Vaughan said in a press release issued jointly with Jacks.

“Since I’m no longer a candidate, I have the responsibility of evaluating who will do the best job for Camano and Island County as a whole before endorsing.”

Vaughan said Jacks’ experience managing the Camano Center and her residency on Camano Island were important factors in his endorsement.

District 3 comprises all of Camano Island and a section of North Whidbey, where Jacks’ opponent Republican Rick Hannold lives.

“Karla Jacks is familiar with and knowledgeable about our island’s businesses, organizations, clubs and residents of our unique rural environment,” Vaughan said. “She will ensure Camano is fairly represented at county meetings, on boards and in the budget process.”

“Her proven leadership and strong ties to Camano are big advantages for District 3.”

The Island County Republican Party endorsed Hannold in a Sept. 29 news release stating that the residency of the candidate shouldn’t matter.

“We soundly reject the notion that the District 3 commissioner must come from Camano Island,” the county GOP’s news releases stated. “It’s certainly not a correct legal argument. All voters select commissioners in the general election, regardless of district.”

“All commissioners are therefore accountable to every resident of Island County.”

Republican Party Chairman Tim Geist said that Vaughan is certainly entitled to endorse whomever he chooses, but the party still believes Hannold is the best choice.

“We like what other voters have also found to be absolutely true about Rick Hannold: he’s a polite, plainspoken man with a lot of common sense. He doesn’t need cue cards to express his views, and he doesn’t tap dance nor attempt to distract,” the county GOP’s release said.

A primary concern for some Camano Island residents was that they didn’t think they were being properly represented by Emerson, a Camano Island resident.

“It’s been years since our commissioners have worked together for all the people of Island County,” said Jacks in the joint statement. “Aubrey has also demonstrated a willingness to work with any Island County resident who reaches out to him.”

“I admire Commissioner Vaughan and I am proud to have his support.”

In the spirit of the bipartisanship with which he was appointed, Vaughan said he believes that Jacks is “clearly the better choice.”

“This isn’t about politics,” Vaughan said. “We can’t allow party politics to dictate our future. There’s been far too much of that over the past few years.”

Vaughan did not return a phone call requesting additional comment.