Clancy Donlin will have an opponent, after all, in his general-election race for the Port Orchard City Council’s at-large seat.

Port Orchard resident Bill Christensen is gearing up to run a write-in campaign for the seat. He said Tuesday that his candidacy was spurred in part by his desire to see Port Orchard’s electorate have a choice in the Nov. 3 general election.

On Sept. 2, Christensen filed paperwork with the Kitsap County auditor’s office stating his intention to run.Asked why he didn’t file during the candidate filing period May 11-15, Christensen said he felt then that the timing to run wasn’t right.

“It was something I was thinking of doing in the future — just not now,” he said. “But I really believe that in this race, voters should have a choice.”

Christensen said he offers “a fair and balanced approach” to the job. “I want voters to know I will listen to them. I like hearing input from everyone,” he said.

The write-in candidate acknowledges he faces a tough fight in gaining enough visibility so that voters will write in his name on their ballots.

“I know lots of people downtown and have plenty of friends who will help to spread the word,” Christensen said. “We’ll be knocking on doors, going to civic events and holding a sign campaign.

“Some of the issues Christensen sees as looming to the forefront before the City Council include building height restrictions, transportation and the eminent domain process.

“Trust is what I want to help build,” he wrote in his informational sheet to voters. “Our City Council needs to reach out and openly work with the public and work to build the public trust.”

Christensen is a special projects manager for employee services at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He holds a security clearance, which he said vouches for his integrity and responsibility. He has a bachelor’s degree in business economics from the University of California at Berkeley and a certificate in accounting from Olympic College.