Kitsap County

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.

Longtime nonprofit leader Denise Frey is running for re-election to Bremerton City Council, District 2. Frey is the retired CEO of both the YWCA Kitsap County and the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. She has served on the city council since her appointment last year.

Frey's experience with the YWCA has made her an outspoken advocate for many communities facing challenges in Bremerton. Frey shared her own experience as a survivor when speaking out against the Supreme Court's reversal of abortion rights, advocated for a city resolution to treat immigrants with dignity during the wave of anti-immigrant sentiments in 2017, and helped establish Morrow Manor in Poulsbo, which provided long-term supportive housing to gender-based violence survivors who were experiencing homelessness.

During her time on the council, Frey has focused on creating better infrastructure for people to walk, bike, and roll through Bremerton. She supported updates to make the Warren Avenue bridge more accessible, and wants to support more sustainable development along the Wheaton Way Corridor and Eastside Village.

The city council is currently considering an extremely backwards proposal to criminalize camping in public areas, even if there is no shelter space available. Frey argued that the city should provide adequate support and services before punishing people on the streets. She does acknowledge safety concerns with encampments, and would consider restricting camping to nighttime hours only.

Adrian Wright is a far-right candidate who is challenging Frey for her seat on the Bremerton City Council. Wright is the former regional director for the Libertarian Party of Washington, and is a current Republican precinct committee officer. He has no public policy platform as of early October, but his personal Facebook has posts where he supported far-right politician Loren Culp and defended a Kitsap neo-Nazi who was accused of stockpiling materials for a racially-motivated attack.

Wright would be a dangerous addition to the Bremerton City Council. Frey is the by far the best choice for this race. 

Anna Mockler is running for re-election to Bremerton City Council, Position 6. Mockler is a former professor and wetland scientist who has spent her time on council advocating for affordable housing and accessible streets. She narrowly won her seat last year when Mike Simpson relocated to Japan for over a month, prompting a special election.

Mockler has been a vocal advocate for streets that are accessible to walkers, bikers, and wheelchair users. She supported efforts to repave and add sidewalks to dangerous streets, implement traffic calming, and fund a street sign shop. As a Kitsap Transit commissioner, she has additionally supported the addition of more electric buses and the reduction of transportation fares.

As a former insulation contractor and third generation union member, Mockler is invested in building safe and affordable housing for working people in Bremerton. She advocated to adjust the multifamily housing rules to create more housing that is truly affordable for locals, and helped open Pendleton Place to provide housing with supportive services. If re-elected, she would devote more city-owned properties toward becoming affordable homes and allow more dense and lower-cost housing options like ADUs. 

Disappointingly, Mockler recently voted in favor of a strict anti-camping ordinance that criminalizes people who are experiencing homelessness, although she did suggest that the city create more housing options during the debate.

However, her opponent is conservative Mike Simpson, who is trying to win back his seat on Bremerton City Council, Position 6, from Mockler. Simpson is an Army veteran, former corrections officer, and former deputy sheriff for the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.

Simpson's journey to in political office has been rife with complications - he was briefly removed from office in 2021 because he had spent more than 30 days overseas in Japan, and had to be re-elected that same year. Because of an elections error where ballots were sent to voters outside of the district, the election had to be redone in 2022, and Anna Mockler won by a slim margin.

This error prompted Simpson to run unsuccessfully for Kitsap County Auditor as a Republican. During that campaign, Simpson echoed typical conservative fearmongering about voter fraud, and argued that more emphasis should be placed on in-person voting over Washington's much-loved, accessible vote-by-mail system.

While on the council, Simpson voted against making it easier for people to have small rentals on their properties, which could help alleviate the affordable housing crunch. He also pushed back on the need for a racial equity committee, which was established after the national conversation on racial justice to better address the concerns of Bremerton residents. If elected, Simpson would act on his conservative values and cut funding for the vital services that communities depend on to thrive.

Mockler is the best choice in this race. 

Reba Harris is a mental health professional running for Poulsbo City Council, Position 4. After getting her master's degree in social work, Harris worked as a therapist and substance abuse specialist for nonprofits, the S'Klallam tribe, and King County Public Health. She has also advocated for restorative justice, women's health, and survivors of trafficking.

As someone who has experienced homelessness and addiction firsthand, Harris is passionate about expanding affordable housing and health resources in Poulsbo. She would focus on creating homes that the growing college and senior population can afford, and would expand public transportation, green spaces, and social services. 

Partly because of her Black and Filipino heritage, another of Harris' top priorities is to center diverse voices in all decisions. She spoke clearly about how BIPOC residents are impacted by the lack of healthcare resources, housing options, and social services in Poulsbo. If elected, she would bring years of experience working with local tribes and communities of color to the council.

Doug Newell, a retired naval officer and current planning commissioner, is also running for this seat. Newell was in charge of finance and new constructions with the Central Kitsap School District for several years.

Newell has some similar priorities to Harris - he wants to increase affordable housing, improve healthcare, and expand the peer navigator program that serves people experiencing mental health and substance abuse challenges. One area where Newell and Harris disagree has to do with parks and recreation. Both agree that parks are an important space for youth and community. However, Harris argues that the city should fully fund housing and basic services before spending large funds on a new recreation center, especially with a new sports complex already opening nearby. Newell, however, is on the steering committee for the proposed Poulsbo Events and Recreation Center, and would not delay construction of new projects to fund basic needs.

We recommend Harris because of her support from the progressive community, her lived experience, and her expertise on the issues facing Poulsbo's working communities.

 

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.
 

Navy veteran Dr. Karen J. Bolton is running for re-election to the Bremerton School Board, Position 1. Since retiring from 20 years of service in the Navy, she has worked as a full-time professor at Olympic College. She has also served as a past board member of the YWCA of Kitsap County and Leadership Kitsap.

Bolton was first elected in 2019 and took office just weeks before the pandemic. She is proud of her track record leading the district through the pandemic without laying off any staff and ensuring that all students continued to have access to meals and wi-fi. She is running for re-election to ensure every student has the opportunity to earn a high-quality education. She also wants to keep pushing the district forward to integrate the latest technology into the curriculum.

Bolton faces a challenge from conservative Lance Byrd, who moved to Bremerton six years ago and does not appear to have any experience serving his community. Unfortunately, Byrd has aligned himself with the far-right group Moms for Liberty, which wants to ban books from school libraries, eliminate comprehensive sex education, and change school curriculums to whitewash our history. He recently participated in a candidate forum hosted by Moms for Liberty and criticizes Bolton for working to achieve equity for all students.

Bolton's lifetime of service, track record of thoughtful leadership, and deep knowledge of education issues have earned her a host of endorsements from local leaders and statewide advocates. Dr. Karen Bolton is the clear choice for Bremerton School Board, Position 1. 

Breezy Mitchell is running for Central Kitsap School Board, Position 2. She is an owner and operator of Mitchell Lumber Company and previously worked as a registered nurse at the Harrison Medical Center ICU. She has three kids in the Central Kitsap School District and serves on the Central Kitsap Montessori Parent’s Association Board.

Mitchell is running to ensure all our kids feel safe at school, improve academic performance, and improve communication between the board and families in the district. She also wants to provide better support for educators and support their career development.

Mitchell is challenging conservative Kristin Hay, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year. Hay is an active member of the far-right group Moms for Liberty, which wants to ban books from school libraries, eliminate comprehensive sex education, and change school curriculums to whitewash our history. While she has not released a campaign website, she recently participated in a Moms for Liberty forum where she agreed with all of the group's questions during the lightning round.

Central Kitsap parents and students deserve a school board director who will listen and be transparent, not impose a far-right political agenda on our classrooms. Breezy Mitchell is the clear choice for Central Kitsap School Board, Position 2. 

Drayton Jackson, the current president of the Central Kitsap School Board, is running to continue representing District 3. Jackson's experience with over two decades of homelessness have motivated him to become an outspoken advocate for people experiencing poverty and housing insecurity. He is now the executive director of the Foundation for Homeless and Poverty Management, which he created to help families find homes and stability. Jackson has also held leadership positions on a number of groups that do outreach to low-income parents, assist parents that are navigating higher education, and advise the governor and state on strategies to dismantle poverty in Washington.

Jackson is proud of his accomplishments during his first term elected, during which the school board handled the effects of the pandemic and passed a levy to fund counselors, transportation, special education, and school libraries. Jackson also is proud to be a voice for those often unrepresented on the board - Black and brown people and people experiencing poverty.

Jim Grose is challenging Jackson for his seat on the Central Kitsap School Board, representing District 3. Grose recently retired from a 36-year career as a pipe fitter and an insulator shop superintendent at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. 

Grose is running on a platform aligned with the far-right group Moms for Liberty, which is seeking to take over local school boards to impose their political agenda on our classrooms. During a recent candidate forum hosted by Moms for Liberty, Grose said "I am into banning books" and suggested that the district could defy state education laws it doesn't agree with, which would be illegal. Grose's far-right positions are dangerous for students and have no place on our school board. 

If re-elected, Jackson would continue to center student voices in decision-making, fund more vital programs and student opportunities, and create a more diverse and inclusive environment for all. He deserves your vote for Central Kitsap School Board, District 3. 

Natasha Fectau Minger is challenging incumbent Mike Desmond for North Kitsap School Board, Position 2. Minger has served on multiple community boards to advise on issues that affect young children, organized parents to get involved in family issues, and advocated for change at the state level.

As a single working mom raising a son on the autism spectrum, Minger was motivated to become an advocate for children in special education. Her background as an Alaska Native has also allowed her to build trust with tribal parents and organizations. Minger has led outreach for programs like the Child Tax Credit and Headstart, helping working people and tribal parents access resources to help their children thrive.

She is running against Mike Desmond, the current vice president of the North Kitsap School Board, is running to retain his seat in Position 2 on the board. Desmond is a U.S. Navy Reserve officer and the former vice president of the PTSA at Poulsbo Elementary. If re-elected, he would prioritize creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds, modernizing our facilities, and building a closer relationship with law enforcement.

Recently, the North Kitsap Education Association, which represents public school educators, voted to express a lack of confidence in the current school board, including Desmond. Teachers said that the board made decisions without including or listening to staff in schools. 

If elected, Minger promises to bring more transparency, inclusivity, and respect for diverse histories to the North Kitsap School Board. Her dedication to educators and parents of every background have earned her endorsements from groups like the Washington Education Association, 23rd District Democrats, and Native Vote.

Minger is the best choice in this race. 
 

Terri Schumacher is running for North Kitsap School Board in District 4 to create healthy schools that meet every students' needs. Schumacher is a owner of a local salon, the former president of the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association, and a volunteer with her PTA. She is a mother of two who has firsthand experience with her son's school closure, overcrowded classrooms, and long bus commutes.

As a person who was able to come up from poverty through a trade school education, Schumacher wants schools to create pathways for all students, no matter their learning style, background, or goals after graduation. She is also running to increase the school boards' transparency with the public. If elected, she would bring back community committees to include diverse voices in the decisions being made by the board.

Her opponent for the District 4 seat is Beverly Godfrey, a conservative third grade teacher. Godfrey is supported by the Kitsap County Republicans and the Family Policy Institute, a far-right Christian interest groups that wants to enforce "Biblical values" in our public schools.

Godfrey has publicly opposed Washington's access to abortions, and criticized the 2021 law that brought teachers much-needed training on how to be inclusive to students from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Schumacher's dedication to putting kids first has earned her endorsements from educators, progressive organizations, and local tribes. She is by far the best choice in this race.

Stacy Mills is running unopposed to represent District 5 on the North Kitsap School Board. Her opponent, Melanie Miller, withdrew from the race in September due to family reasons.

Mills has deep roots in the area as a member of the S'Klallam tribe and the fourth generation in her family to graduate from North Kitsap public schools. Mills works with both the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribal Government and the local community health center, where she helps bring services to students and families. As someone who has been both a student and a parent in the North Kitsap School District, Mills is motivated to help every child reach their full potential in the classroom.

Recently, the North Kitsap Education Association (NKEA), which represents public school educators, voted to express a lack of confidence in the current school board. If elected, Mills would make it a priority to increase transparency and communication with both teachers and the public. She suggests creating committees to receive feedback directly from teachers, and has been endorsed by the NKEA. She also is running to creatively fund education in an equitable way and to make sure the board has representation from the diverse families in our community.

Mills has earned the support of progressives, educators, and local tribes, and deserves your vote for the North Kitsap School Board.

Nurse and incumbent Kate Espy is running to be retained on the South Kitsap School Board in Director District 1. Espy was originally appointed in 2021. She has spent 40 years in forensic and emergency room nursing, and also previously worked at an elementary school as a nurse for students who need special medical care. Espy is an active community leader, serving as the president of the Kitsap Support Advocacy Counseling Board, a member of Soroptimist International of Port Orchard, and a previous member of the South Kitsap School District Citizen Budget Review Committee.

Espy wants to bring the highest quality education and opportunities to South Kitsap students. If retained, she wants to strengthen the relationships between the board, district families, and staff. Espy’s board experience and professional work with trauma victims make her a strong listener and effective collaborator.

Local business owner John Sehmel is challenging Espy in this race. Sehmel is running a conservative campaign that fails to address the most pressing issues for students, teachers, and staff in the district. Instead, he wants to restrict funding for student resources and eliminate age-appropriate comprehensive sexual health education. He is endorsed by extremist groups and religious organizations.

Kate Espy is the clear choice for South Kitsap School Board, Director District 1.

Megan Higgins is running for South Kitsap School Board, Director District 2, the seat currently held by John Berg. Higgins works for Seattle Children’s Hospital in clinical research. She has also worked in tutoring and parents three students currently enrolled in the district.

Higgins is running on a progressive platform to invest in our school district. One of her top priorities is to support teaching staff to create a positive work environment and a high-quality education. If elected, Higgins also wants to make upgrades to the school district to repair and replace aging infrastructure. In this race, she has earned endorsements from progressive organizations and community leaders.

Jaime Cross, who owns his own masonry business, is also in this race. Endorsed by the Republican Party, Cross is running on an extremist platform to promote curriculums full of misinformation and political agendas. He will not bring a community focus to the board.

Megan Higgins is the best choice in this race for South Kitsap School Board, Director District 2.
 

Jay Villars is running for the South Kitsap School Board in District 5. Villars has spent 38 years working in public education, including time as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. He is a frequent volunteer with the local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, and holds a master's degree in public education.

Unlike his opponent Rhonda Edwards, Villars is an enthusiastic supporter of the bond that would fund much-needed improvements to our schools. If elected, he would make sure students could go to class in world-class facilities instead of closing schools and overcrowding classrooms to cut costs.

Another distinction from his opponent is his support for equity in schools. He wants to enfranchise and involve kids with special needs instead of segregating them from their peers, and says he is passionate about diversity and inclusion in education. He also supports the comprehensive sex education curriculum that has been vetted and approved to prepare students to take care of their health.

His opponent is Rhonda Edwards, a Republican-endorsed real estate broker. Edwards is aligned with the far-right group Moms For Liberty, which wants to ban books from school libraries, eliminate age-appropriate and comprehensive sex education, and change school curriculums to whitewash our history.

Edwards has spoken out publicly against gender inclusivity guidance in schools that recommends against school employees outing trans students to their parents. She also wants to increase testing in schools, limit books that "sexualize" kids, and allow parents to opt their kids out of critical sex education.

Edwards also testified against a bond that would fund diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as improvements to school infrastructure. Edwards wants to close schools and crowd students more tightly into classrooms instead of replacing our aging buildings.

Edwards' personal social media has posts where she supports eliminating Washington's popular vote-by-mail system, criticizes the George Floyd Protests, and calls for an end to Washington's COVID restrictions during the height of the pandemic in May of 2020. 

Our students deserve to be represented by an experienced educator who would create high-quality, inclusive schools for every kid. Villars is by far the best choice in this race.