The Port Orchard Independent encourages voters to elect the following candidates on Nov. 4.

The Independent makes its endorsements based on written interviews with the candidates, coverage of candidate forums and a series of editorial interviews of county candidates.

• Prosecuting Attorney: Tina Robinson

Robinson, a lawyer, public defender and former Group Health manager, will bring fresh leadership and a new management style to the office. There is much that Russell Hauge has accomplished in his 16 years as prosecuting attorney. But the office is showing signs of strain: A deputy prosecuting attorney is still on the job after a second DUI collision, the latest of which occurred when her children were in the car. A murder victim’s family was not notified in time to provide a statement at sentencing. A reduced-plea agreement was reached with a hit and run suspect, although the Victim/Witness Unit never contacted the victim.

• County Auditor: Dolores Gilmore

Gilmore has worked for the Kitsap County auditor’s office for 30 years and for 20 years has served as the county’s elections officer. As elections officer, she has implemented innovative accessible-voting programs. The department received a national award this year for implementing accessible-voting options for voters with disabilities, including an accessible online voters’ guide and ballot delivery system, and early accessible voting at locations throughout the county. She collaborated with accessibility advocates, community leaders, and elected officials in developing those programs. She and the committee collaborate on public outreach to promote accessible voting.

As auditor, she would continue to protect the integrity of Kitsap County’s elections. She said the auditor’s office has lost employees to budget cuts, although the workload stayed the same. She said cross-training employees from the different divisions of the auditor’s office can help streamline the office workload and improve efficiency.

Gilmore is clearly the best choice.

• County Assessor: Paul Andrews

Andrews has experience in land surveying, property assessment, and technology. As senior project manager for the Pierce County assessor/treasurer’s office, he converted that office paper-based to digital, and has used those skills for 19 years to improve accessibility at the Kitsap County Assessor’s Office.

He has experience working with government from the outside and well as in, and has worked to create applications that make the assessor’s office and its records more accessible to users. He expects demands on the office will grow as the economy improves, and he wants to continue to create applications that can help the office meet user needs and be more transparent.

Andrews has the best experience and knowledge for the job.

• County Clerk: Dave Peterson

Peterson’s experience as clerk, his understanding of the job and its responsibilities, and his efforts to make the office more efficient and accessible make him the clear choice. The county clerk is the official record keeper for the Superior Court. Peterson has been working to make court records electronic and more accessible to the public, streamline case management and document management by establishing e-filing of court documents, and seeking new ways to assist residents as they interact with the justice system.

Let’s let Peterson continue doing his good work.

• County Coroner: Greg Sandstrom

Sandstrom, coroner for 16 years, will continue to partner with other counties to share services and expenses on a larger scale, saving Kitsap County money; and continue to evaluate practices and policies to find efficiencies and cost savings wherever possible.

His priority is to “bring every asset the Coroner’s Office has to the table to prevent the unnecessary loss of life in Kitsap County.” The Cribs for Kids Program, which he started last year and is funded by donations, provides safe sleeping conditions for babies from low-income families. He’s active in the countywide Suicide Prevention effort, and is working with law enforcement and others in developing improved response to individuals with mental health issues. He works with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and first responders to put on mock crashes at high schools. He partners with the U.S. Navy and others to provide premature death prevention programs.

Sandstrom is the best choice for the job.

• County Commissioner, District 3: Edward Wolfe

Wolfe would bring unparalleled strengths to the commission: A diplomat’s ability (he’s a former U.S. ambassador who negotiated the Pacific Salmon Treaty) to negotiate and find consensus on issues. Knowledge of law (he would have red-flagged unconstitutional provisions of a proposed code-enforcement chapter to the county code, drafted in May but only tabled this month).

The Comprehensive Plan is being updated. The Department of Community Development needs fixing (both candidates say the cost of permits is “stifling.”) The county jail is understaffed. Wolfe will be engaged in those issues, working with DCD and Kitsap’s law enforcement agencies to build collaboration, identify issues and improve how those departments meet current and future needs.

Having a commission with members of two parties will improve the system of checks and balances on the board, something that will be important as the Kitsap’s population grows, the economy improves, and the county works to achieve balance in economic development and in protecting the environment that sustains us.

Wolfe will provide that balance. We recommend a vote for him.

• Kitsap County District Court Judge: Claire Bradley

Bradley, Kitsap County’s chief deputy prosecutor, is clearly the most qualified for the job, She’s been a prosecutor since 1997, after a year as a public defender. She’s served as chairwoman of Kitsap Special Assault Investigations and Victims Services since 2000. She’s tried all levels of cases. She helped implement electronic document systems that the public and the courts benefit from today. She helped establish policies and procedures for the administration of the court she seeks to represent.

The retiring judge she hopes to succeed, James Riehl, wrote, “Claire will bring a wealth of expertise, experience and common sense to the bench.”  We agree. Vote for Bradley.