As part of its work to advise the Bremerton Patriot and the Central Kitsap Reporter, the newspaper’s eight-member community advisory board has endorsed candidates for Kitsap County offices.

The advisory board met recently and discussed the candidates’ qualifications after studying each race and attending some local election forums and debates.

In the race for Kitsap County Commissioner, District 3, a majority of the board supported Linda Streissguth. Comments from the board included that she is not a “political animal,” that she is a good listener and is interested in the office to serve the public, not specific elements of the community such as builders and Realtors.

They cited concerns that her opponent Ed Wolfe represents developers, real estate professionals and business interests, and that Streissguth is more open to listening to the concerns of those who represent average residents, educators and the “99 percenters.”

In the race for county auditor, the board endorsed Dolores Gilmore. Board members said she has the experience to do the job. Members said they had concerns about her opponent Kelly Emerson regarding her work as a county commissioner in Island County.

In the race for county clerk, current clerk Dave Peterson earned the endorsement, because he has an excellent staff and knows the job. They also said they supported him because he’s shown up at election forums whereas his opponent Gary Chaney had not.

Likewise, the board endorsed current county coroner Greg Sandstrom, saying that he’s doing the job well. The board cited that his opponent, Jeff Wallis, wants to add more technology to the office, but that Sandstrom has not been able to do that due to county budget constraints.

There was much debate among the board about the race for county prosecuting attorney. In a tight vote, current prosecutor Russ Hauge won the endorsement of a majority of the board, those members citing his experience and leadership at the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

Those who opposed Hauge said they felt he was not tough enough on criminals and that they had lost faith in him over issues such as the county’s new gun range ordinance.

The board did not have an enforcement in the county assessors race, but said either Phil Cook or Paul Andrews are capable of doing the job.

The Reporter/Patriot community advisory board is a volunteer board that meets monthly with the newspaper staff to discuss issues of concern in our coverage area.

Members are Karen Best, Laura Kneib, Robert Parker, Gina Schulz, Katherine Weigel, Colleen Smidt, Rob MacDermid and Karen Chu. Kneib and MacDermid did not attend the meeting where endorsements were made.

The board also makes suggestions for improvements to our websites and printed editions.

For more information, email editor Leslie Kelly at lkelly@soundpublishing.com.