Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson will represent all of San Juan County

||| FROM RICK HUGHES |||

Having served eight years on the San Juan County Council, participated in the Ferry Advisory Committee, and spent much of my life operating small businesses on Orcas Island, I know firsthand the challenges of representing our island communities. 

That experience is why I am proud to support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council, District 3.

Jennifer brings something especially valuable to public service: kindness, honesty, independence, and a genuine willingness to listen. She is not beholden to any particular interest group or political faction. She understands that serving on the County Council means representing the interests of the entire county, not just the island where you happen to live.

Although Jennifer calls Shaw Island home, I am confident she will be a strong voice for residents of Orcas, San Juan, Lopez Waldron, Shaw, and our smaller islands alike.

One of our county’s greatest challenges continues to be reliable ferry service. Having spent years working on ferry issues myself, I know how important relationships with Washington State Ferries, state legislators, and transportation officials are to getting things accomplished.

As Chair of the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee, Jennifer has developed those relationships and understands the complexities of our transportation system. She won’t need to start from scratch. She already knows the people, the issues, and the importance of advocating for all islanders.

Jennifer also brings valuable experience from her years serving on the Shaw Island School Board and as superintendent. She understands budgets, public accountability, difficult decisions, and the importance of keeping a community working together.

As someone who operates Ray’s General Store and Pharmacy and Island Life on Orcas, I particularly appreciate Jennifer’s understanding of what it takes to live and make a living in San Juan County. Our community needs leaders who recognize that small businesses, local agriculture, affordable housing, and good-paying jobs are all connected. We cannot preserve the character of our islands if the people who work here cannot afford to live here.  Supporting small business and tourism in the county doesn’t have to be anti-environment, actually, I personally have found that small business can help be a leader for sustainable and environmentally protection in the county.

Jennifer understands this balance. Her family has embraced farming and invested in solar energy, demonstrating a commitment to agriculture, environmental stewardship, and renewable energy.

She recognizes the importance of local food production and food security, while also understanding that protecting our environment and supporting a healthy local economy must go hand in hand. Her work supporting community land trusts demonstrates that she takes our affordable housing challenges seriously.

During my years on the County Council, I learned that the most effective elected officials aren’t necessarily the loudest voices in the room. They are the people who listen, build relationships, respect differing opinions, and find practical solutions. Jennifer has demonstrated those qualities throughout her years of community service.  We need a council member that will attend local, regional and state wide meetings in person and build strong, in person relationships that will keep San Juan County at the table and a state powerhouse, like the county has been in the past.

I also feel that Jennifer will have the ability to bridge the divide with the Town of Friday Harbor, rebuild this important relationship and treat the town as an equal partner.  Jennifer will listen and act on the key issues facing the town.  As Friday Harbor goes, so does San Juan County.  

We face important decisions about our county budget, ferry service, housing, environmental protection, and the economic future of our islands. We need thoughtful, independent leadership that brings people together rather than divides them.

Jennifer Swanson is kind, capable, honest, and prepared to serve. Most importantly, I believe she genuinely cares about the people who call these islands home.

I encourage voters throughout San Juan County to join me in supporting Jennifer Swanson for County Council, District 3.