Signs disavowed by both sides in poke at Jefferson County commissioner candidate

PORT HADLOCK — A campaign sign mystery has popped up in the Jefferson County commissioners race between incumbent David Sullivan and challenger Sandy Hershelman, with both candidates disavowing the source of the negative message directed at Hershelman.

Showing a bulldozer knocking down a large tree, the yellow, green and black signs say: “Developers for Hershelman (I) for County Commissioner.”

Both Hershelman, running as an independent, and Sullivan, a Democrat, disavowed the signs.

“Politics are nasty and it shouldn’t be, and that’s sad,” said Hershelman, who went to her Port Hadlock campaign headquarters on Hadlock Road near QFC to find that three of the signs were left at the doorstep.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“The signs are putting down a lot of good men and women who are putting roofs over the heads of people, including the sign people.

“The big thing is, they are not mine.”

Hershelman said she was amused when she was told about the signs.

“I laughed so hard, the irony, I was working on a $120,000 Department of Ecology grant application for Built Green when the call came in,” said Hershelman, who is executive officer of the Jefferson Homebuilders Association.

Hershelman said she would contact the state Public Disclosure Commissioner about the signs.

Lori Anderson, PDC communications officer, said the signs were too small to require identification of sponsorship.

Sullivan: Not mine

Contacted Thursday, Sullivan, who seeks a second four-year term, said, “I haven’t seen them, and our campaign has nothing to do with them.

“Sign drama happens every campaign season.”

He said many of his signs have been removed, never to be seen again, “and it happens every campaign season.”

He called it “rude” for people to put up signs in county rights-of-way or on private property without permission.

“I’ve really tried to keep it a campaign that focuses on the issues,” he said.

“We need to have some restraint, because we all have to work together when it’s over.”

________

Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com

More in News

Milan Pohl of Port Angeles points out the features of a greenhouse he built to cover a portion of his plot at the Fifth Street Community Garden in Port Angeles. Pohl said on Friday that the greenhouse and a twin structure on an adjoining bed would be used to grow eggplant, peppers and other heat-loving plants. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Community garden plot

Milan Pohl of Port Angeles points out the features of a greenhouse… Continue reading

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Influenza numbers trending down in Clallam, Jefferson counties

Public health officer says it’s not too late for vaccine

NOAA lease in Port Angeles on list of terminations

A lease held by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric… Continue reading

Tyler Leisten.
Leisten gradutes from basic law enforcement academy

Tyler Leisten has graduated from the Washington State Basic… Continue reading

Nicole Merrigan, owner of Strait Up Foam Fun, left, talks with Carol Koenig of Sequim during Thursday’s Clallam County Job Fair at Vern Burton Community Center in Port Angeles. About two dozen prospective employers took part in the event, hosted by the Greater Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Job fair

Nicole Merrigan, owner of Strait Up Foam Fun, left, talks with Carol… Continue reading

Funding from the state Department of Commerce will be matched with private donations to fix the Upper Hoh Road this spring, Gov. Bob Ferguson said Thursday. (Olympic National Park)
State funds to repair Hoh Road

Private donations to match Commerce grant

Grant would help Port of Port Townsend with larger vessels

Two-phase project intended to increase efficiency

Port Angeles City Manager Nathan West gives his annual presentation on the state of the city on Wednesday to the Greater Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce at the Red Lion Hotel. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles’ efforts on housing, homelessness top annual address

Manager provides State of the City comments to chamber

Master Gardener Honey Niemann of Port Townsend trims a barberry bush on Wednesday to keep it from infringing on the daffodils blooming at Master Gardener Park at the corner of 10th Street and Sims Way in Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Signs of spring

Master Gardener Honey Niemann of Port Townsend trims a barberry bush on… Continue reading