Council Candidates’ Takes on “Partisan” Elections

By Margie Doyle

(Second in a series of articles)

The Eagle Forum held a well-attended public forum on Saturday April 6 on Orcas Island in which candidates from Lopez, Orcas and San Juan residency districts answered questions from the audience and vetted by Eagle Forum members.

The  following question  was asked of all the candidates:

The Charter provides for non-partisan elections. How do you account for the blatant support for particular candidates by the dominant party in this race?

Brian McClerren:
I responded to a questionnaire sent to me asking to speak individually, rather than side with a party affiliation, which would indicated bias. His attempts to speak to State Senator Kevin Ranker were unsuccessful. Since “Trust for Islanders” recommended him on its website, he finds “checks in my mailbox every day.”

Jamie Stephens:
People get information in different ways and like to hang their hat on some of that information. [“I’ve been described as ‘a no-good California developer who wants to pave the islands;’ maybe that’s because I built a house. I am not a left wing extreme environmentalist out to stop growth in county; nor did I invent Word so I had money to go out for public office – I wish I had!
“I don’t know why a political party should be different from a labor union in whom they endorse or how they endorse them.”

Lisa Byers:
It’s more helpful to give “a general sense of the direction I’m coming from” — research in deciding whom to vote for. National level distinctions don’t play out in county offices. “I’m more focused on infrastructure, land use and delivering service on local level. I think more about management, bringing people together and solving problems, and tend not to focus on party affiliation.”

Rick Hughes:
“I declared myself independent and non-partisan,” and returned the questionnaire from the Democratic party. “I couldn’t accept its endorsement… [and also] declined to get involved with Trust Islanders.
“I’ve tried real hard to be independent and moderate; I side with people who are trying to get the job done and enjoy these beautiful islands.”

Lovel Pratt:
I’d like to ask if there’s anyone who’d like to give up the rights to free speech and free association. I appreciate the forthright endorsement of the Democrats. I think endorsements should be made in a forthright manner. … This is a non-partisan position, but if groups want to endorse candidates, that’s within their purview to do that.”

Bob Jarman:
Doesn’t recognize partisan politicians; “I just see fellow islanders. I’ve always voted my conscience… and made a point of being involved in civic groups that better the community.” He has been endorsed by Trust Islanders, who said, “You can do what you want; this is a free country. I respect the rights of people to do what they want to do. Jarman said the election process has been “a big learning curve.”

More responses to questions asked at the Eagle Forum will be posted in future articles)