BREMERTON — Former Port of Bremerton chief executive officer Cary Bozeman will seek the Port of Bremerton District 1 commissioner’s seat that is held by Roger Zabinski.

Bozeman, also a former mayor of Bremerton, made the announcement in a news release on April 8.

Earlier this year, Zabinski announced he would not seek re-election to his term that ends Dec. 31. District 1 includes West Bremerton and portions of East Bremerton.

“My priorities as a port commissioner will be to work to recruit new good-paying jobs to our community and to retain the Navy-based civil service jobs that are the backbone of our economy,” Bozeman stated in a news release. “We also must secure the state funding needed to support our ferry system so we can have more runs and better boats. I also believe port districts can be major participants in providing quality recreational facilities in our port communities and I will reach out to the local communities to create partnerships that will allow us to improve the quality of life for our citizens.”

In 2009, Bozeman left his position as Bremerton’s mayor to take a job as CEO at the port.

“A few years ago, I left public service because of some health challenges I was facing,” Bozeman said. “I felt at the time it was best to take time off and deal with my health issues which turned out to be a problem known as atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. It is not uncommon and treatable. I decided to have what is known as a heart ablation procedure which was successful.

“I have never felt better. I lost 20 pounds, walk three miles a day and last year got back into public life by accepting a contract with the City of Aberdeen to help them revitalize their downtown. Working in someone else’s community is not the same as working in your own so I have decided to make an effort to again help my own community by making the decision to run for the position of Port of Bremerton commissioner. I am very excited about this opportunity because I believe Kitsap County has never been better positioned to attract new companies to our region.”

He said nothing is more important to the region than having a strong economy, good paying jobs, excellent transportation and recreational facilities that enhance the quality of life for families.

“Those are the things I want to work for and that is why I am running for the position of Port of Bremerton port commissioner,” he said.