City of Bainbridge Island

Council member and deputy mayor Kirsten Hytopoulos is running for another term serving in the Bainbridge Island City Council, District 1 At-Large position. Hytopoulos served a council term from 2011 to 2014 and joined the council most recently again in 2019. She is a member of both the Kitsap Public Health Board and KRCC Land Use Planning Policy Committee and founded Green Voices for Bainbridge Island. Outside of public service, Hytopolous works as an attorney and mediator.

In office and outside of it, Hytopolous has been a progressive advocate for good government process, stewardship of ecosystems and natural resources, and embracing what makes Bainbridge unique. The island is facing a moment of growth and change, and Hytopolous wants to engage and collaborate with the community to address it. She lists affordable housing as a top priority and wants to improve neighborhood walkability, the small business community, and climate planning. Hytopolous has earned strong endorsements in this race, including a number of local Democratic groups as well as progressive elected leaders.

Dick Haugun, an advertising and business leader, is challenging Hytopolous in this race. Haugun is running on a more conservative-leaning platform and believes that the most important credential for council leadership is his business experience. He claims that the biggest issue facing Bainbridge is the allocation of public funding, but if elected, he wants to restrict investments in community services, utilities, and infrastructure.

We recommend Kirsten Hytopoulos for another term in Bainbridge Island City Council, District 1 At-Large.

Brenda Fantroy-Johnson is running unopposed for a second term on Bainbridge Island City Council in the District 2 North Ward seat. Fantroy-Johnson joined originally joined in 2020 and works in cybersecurity risk management. She is a strong community leader, serving as a founding member of the BI Race Equity Advisory Committee, the chair of the Housing Kitsap Board, and a liaison to the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.

Fantory-Johnson wants to make responsible, equitable, and sustainable decisions on the council to improve life on Bainbridge for all residents. She has championed sustainable public transit, thoughtful development, affordable housing, and strengthening the Race Equity Advisory Committee leadership on the council. Her campaign to continue building on this progress is endorsed by several Democratic organizations, a local union, and both community and elected leaders.

Fantroy-Johnson has earned your vote for another term in Bainbridge Island City Council, District 2 North Ward.

Ashley Mathews is running unopposed for the Bainbridge Island City Council, District 6 South Ward seat, which is currently held by Michael Pollock who is not seeking re-election. Mathews has worked in marketing and real estate. She was appointed to the Bainbridge Island Planning Commission which she now chairs. Mathews also serves as a member of the NAACP, on the board of directors for the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and as a member of the Bloedel Reserve IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) Committee, among other community leadership positions.

Mathews is running on a community-focused platform to bring safety, opportunities, and a sense of belonging to the Bainbridge Island community. If elected, she wants to make progress on both climate action and social equity by implementing solutions that reflect the interconnectedness of the issues. Mathews also supports affordable housing initiatives, youth health services, and public beautification.

Though she is running unopposed, we recommend Ashley Mathews for Bainbridge Island City Council, District 6 South Ward.

Evan Saint Clair is running to be retained in Bainbridge Island School Board, Director District 4. Earlier this year, Saint Clair was appointed to fill Christina Hulet’s seat when she stepped down this March. Saint Claire has a background in design and photography, and currently runs two, fitness-related small businesses with his wife. He is active in the community, serving as president of the Odyssey Multiage Program, a member of the Bainbridge Island Mountain Biking Association board, and a lead volunteer with the Battle Point Astronomical Association kids program.

Saint Clair wants to make Bainbridge schools places of safety, belonging, high-quality learning, and opportunity, where students can be challenged to reach their full potential. In office, he supported a measure to ensure that the district’s LGBTQ+ community feels safe and welcome. If retained, Saint Clair wants to strengthen support for teachers and staff so that they have the resources they need to teach our students who have been left behind by the pandemic. He has earned strong endorsements in this race, including from local Democrats.

Thomas Greene is challenging Saint Clair for the seat. Greene has a background in small business executive leadership. Though he calls for more comprehensive American history programs and greater support for teachers, Greene is a more conservative candidate.

We recommend Evan Saint Clair in this race because of his progressive track record in office and commitment to making the school district a place of inclusive belonging.