BREMERTON — Bremerton candidates filed for the 2015 election May 15. Several candidates are running unopposed and a few electeds chose not to run again.

City council

The early candidate for most controversial race is District 6, which reads like the plot to a romantic comedy as long-time incumbent Roy Runyon looks to fend off newcomers Richard Huddy and Runyon’s wife, Kim Faulkner.

“She brings a wealth of experience,” Runyon said. “I suspect she would have a different method of discussing issues.”

Huddy was understated when asked about the situation.

“It’s an interesting situation, to say the least,” Huddy said.

Incumbents Greg Wheeler and Leslie Daugs, districts 4 and 2 respectively, are running unopposed.

“I pledge to continue to work with our business leaders and property owners; to remove the barriers to creating a vibrant business climate, ensuring economic growth through the creation of job opportunities,” Wheeler said in a press release. “Public safety, well maintained streets & sidewalks, and beautiful parks will remain on my priority list.”

School board

The Bremerton School Board is already guaranteed to have two new directors. Director Scott Rahm, position 1, chose not to run for re-election and Ken Watkins, position 3, recently resigned.

Rahm has been on the board for six years. Considering the amount of time it takes away from his family, Rahm had doubts that he’d be able to do another four years.

“If I’m going to commit to it I’m going to commit to the full term,” Rahm said. “I don’t want to be in a position where I get two years into this next term and have to consider resigning my position.”

Looking back at his time on the board, Rahm said he’s proud of the open culture developed amongst members.

“I think the thing that I have enjoyed seeing the most is the transparency and the teamwork with all the staff and the board,” Rahm said. “We really have a good group of people that are not afraid to voice their concerns.”

Running for his position are Naomi Evans and Shiela Collins.

Evans said she opposses Common Core Standards, which mandates what students should learn, and “high stakes testing” like the Washington State Smart Balanced Assesment Consortium.

Collins couldn’t be reached before press time.

Initially, four candidates filed to replace Watkins in Position 3: Colleen Smidt, Jonee Dubos, Tony Stephens and Phil Sehorn. However, Smidt withdrew her candidacy May 18, instead choosing to throw her support behind Jonee Dubos.

“I have full confidence in her ability to do the job and she will shortly prove herself to be the obvious and qualified frontrunner,” Smidt said of Dubos.

Dubos is an alumnus of the Bremerton district and has worked as a substitute teacher three times.

“It is an opportunity to encourage more community input and support so we as a community take responsibility of our kids,” Dubos said. “Kids in school learning, kids in after school activities brings balance and responsibility, kids giving back to our community teaches humility, and kids working teaches economic awareness of a dollar.”

Stephens and Sehorn could not be reached before press time.

Position 2 Director Dave Rubie is running unopposed.

Port Commissioner

Port of Bremerton District 1 commissioner Roger Zabinski announced in February that he wouldn’t seek re-election.

Zabinski said he accepted a new job that requires a great deal of travel, making it impossible for him contribute enough time to be a quality commissioner.

Running for his position are Silverdale Water District Commissioner John Poppe and former Bremerton mayor and port chief executive officer Cary Bozeman.

“I enjoy that kind of stuff and I can provide a good, positive direction for the port,” Poppe said.

Poppe has a background in infrastructure utilities. He thinks he can help the port “optimize” their infrastructure internally.

Bozeman wants to find a way to adjust the ferry system so that riders aren’t paying the bulk of the operational costs and develop waterfront properties in Port Orchard and Bremerton.

But his main focus would be job creation.

“I don’t think there’s anything more important society than someone having a decent job,” Bozeman said. “I think we might have our best opportunity to attract private jobs here and have some cushion against any kind of military cutback that might happen.”