PORT TOWNSEND — Heather Dudley-Nollette, the executive director for Bayside Housing and Services, has announced her candidacy for the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners, seeking the District 1 position.
Dudley-Nollette is running for the District 1 seat, which covers Port Townsend and part of the upper Quimper Peninsula. The seat is currently held by Kate Dean, who has served as a commissioner since 2017 but announced last month she would not be seeking re-election.
“As Jefferson County Commissioner, I hope to engage and listen to the voices of all those who live here — especially those who may not typically be asked for their opinion,” Dudley-Nollette said in a statement. “I’m committed to bringing resources here to serve people while preserving the precious natural resources that we’re already so blessed to be surrounded by.”
In a March 15 Facebook post, Dean said she was ready to start thinking about the next phase of her life.
“I have loved *nearly* every minute of my 7 1/2 years in this role,” Dean wrote. “If you, or someone you know, cares about rural issues, knows a thing or two about policy and governance, lives in District 1 and wants a demanding job, I’d be glad to talk to you about running for office. We need someone good in this role.”
Dean briefly ran for Washington’s 6th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, in December, but she dropped out the same month citing fundraising concerns.
Dudley-Nollette has served as executive director of the housing nonprofit Bayside Housing and Services since January, and she worked as its director of development since 2021. Before working for Bayside, she was a co-founder and manager of the co-working space CoLab Northwest and has worked as a consultant.
“In Jefferson County, we are all facing the effects of an increasing housing crisis, exacerbated by significant mental health challenges, living wage and cost-of-living concerns, and an imminent need to protect our environment,” Dudley-Nollette said. “But we’re also surrounded by some of the most innovative and passionate people on the planet, from all different backgrounds and beliefs.”
District 2 Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour is also up for re-election. District 2 covers the tri-area, Marrowstone Island and part of the upper Quimper Peninsula along Discovery Bay.
Candidate filing week is May 6-10. In addition to the presidential election, Washington voters will cast ballots for U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, three Supreme Court positions and a number of other statewide offices.
Voters in the state’s 24th Legislative District — which includes Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties — also will vote for the two representatives and one senator to the Legislature, and in Jefferson County, two county commissioners and one public utility district commissioner.
Clallam County voters will cast ballots for one county commissioner seat and two PUD commissioners.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached by email at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.