Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson will run for reelection.

Price Johnson, a Democrat, is nearing the end of her first term as a District 1 commissioner. Elected in 2008, she was the first woman ever elected to the three-member board.

Price Johnson said she was running for a second term because she wanted to see follow-up work completed on a number of issues.

The county is going through a technology upgrade, for example, and the county has reached a stable point with its budget, she said.

“I want to make sure that Island County is on firm footing for the future,” she said.

Price Johnson also noted that she grew up on Whidbey Island, raised a family and ran a small business for 25 years here.

“I think it’s important to have that voice at the table for planning for our future,” she said.

Price Johnson joins Robert “Jeff” Lauderdale, a Republican who lives near Coupeville, in the race. Lauderdale filed as a candidate in the race July 19 and officially announced his candidacy Aug. 13.

Lauderdale has raised $7,570 so far for his campaign.

Price Johnson, who lives in Clinton, registered as a candidate with the state Aug. 30.

Price Johnson said she has had a lot of encouragement to seek re-election, but added that an official kickoff had not been planned. Her campaign website www.helenpricejohnson.org is now up and running.

That’s all that’s planned for now, though.

“I’m not really planning to be campaigning until the New Year,” she said. “But I thought it was important to get filed and give an opportunity for folks to contribute to the campaign.”

“My focus really right now is on the budget here at the county and getting that passed for next year,” Price Johnson said. “I really have plenty to do right now in my job.”