Election season is gaining momentum… Stay tuned to this site for more information about Heidi Eisenhour’s bid for re-election

County Commissioner seeks re-election

Published in Port Townsend Leader, 2/14/2024

Elected to her first term in 2020, District 2 Jefferson County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour has indicated she will seek re-election this year for a second term.

“I look forward to continuing effective support for my neighbors in Jefferson County in the future, because I truly love our communities and where we live,” Eisenhour said in a recent media statement.

“With 25 to 30 committees to serve on each year, it takes much of a term to learn the lay of the land and get to know the teams focused in each area,” she said. “I look forward to getting a chance to continue to put all the knowledge and relationships I have gained to work for county residents in the future.”

In her first term, Eisenhour led specific efforts that included the decennial commissioner district redistricting process, in partnership with Quinn Grewell, Jefferson County’s elections manager. She raised the issue of western Washington’s septage capacity within the legislature when she learned of challenges local waste managers were having with Jefferson County’s waste disposal.

Eisenhour also spearheaded a five-year strategic planning process (2024-28) with County Administrator Mark McCauley and county leaders.

The commissioner takes particular interest in Jefferson County’s forests and forestry economy, and oversaw the transfer of two parcels in the Quimper Wildlife Corridor from the Department of Natural Resources, totaling 120 acres. She served in a leadership role at state tables grappling with multiple forest management issues, applying knowledge of Jefferson County’s natural resources and state land management toward collaborations.

“I look forward to working alongside county leaders, staff and partners to complete important projects in a second term that I have been active on in my first,” Eisenhour said. These include completion of the Port Hadlock Wastewater Treatment system, and developments such as Habitat for Humanity’s Mason Street, which will provide up to 150 units of permanently affordable housing near the Jefferson County library.

“Heidi is a delight to work with,” McCauley said. “She is a quick study and always does her homework. She is tireless, frequently working late into the evenings and on weekends. Heidi is a strong advocate for transparent government and engagement with our community.”  

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Dudley-Nollette announces bid for commissioner

Published in Port Townsend Leader, 4/24/2024 By James Robinson

Election season is gaining momentum, and candidate filing week for those seeking office in the November general election begins May 6.

In addition to selecting candidates for federal and state offices, Jefferson County voters will also have an opportunity to elect, or re-elect, county commissioners for districts one and two.

Those seats are currently held by Kate Dean, commissioner for District 1, and Heidi Eisenhour, commissioner for District 2.

In December 2023, Dean, a county commissioner since 2017, announced a bid for the state’s 6th Congressional District seat, but later the same month withdrew her candidacy, citing fundraising challenges.

Dean announced on March 15 she would not seek re-election to the District 1 county commissioner’s seat.

“I am ready to start thinking about the next phase of my life, and am excited to see someone with new ideas and energy take over this important role,” Dean wrote in a Facebook post.

In an email to Leader staff on April 20, Heather Dudley-Nollette, deputy executive director of Bayside Housing & Services, offered a tentative announcement of her District 1 candidacy.

“I am seriously considering announcing my candidacy to run for Jefferson County Commissioner, District 1,” wrote Dudley-Nollette, adding she would decide “sometime early next week.”Dudley-Nollette’s candidacy remained uncertain at press time.

Eisenhour, who was elected to her first term in 2020, announced her intent to seek re-election in February.

“I look forward to continuing effective support for my neighbors in Jefferson County in the future, because I truly love our communities and where we live,” Eisenhour said at the time. “My first three-plus years as a commissioner have been intense and fulfilling,” Eisenhour said. “The county is a complex organization that includes — to name a few key areas — budgeting and oversight of county roads, public and behavioral health, the courts and sheriff's department and all permit and development applications.”

Eisenhour said it had been rewarding to lead on those issues. “Add to that a couple dozen external roles on various boards and committees, it's been a lot to learn and find areas of traction on, but my role as a commissioner becomes clearer every day. I look forward to serving my community for another four years with increasing effectiveness based on the experiences gained and literally hundreds of relationships developed on behalf of Jefferson County.”

Candidate filing week begins on May 6 and ends May 10.
The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 6. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.
You can track candidate filings at HERE.