Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson will serve as the board’s chairwoman in 2015.

Price Johnson, who represents Central and South Whidbey, was unanimously selected Monday to lead the Island County Board of Commissioners.

Price Johnson will assume her chairwoman duties on Jan. 1.

The traditional annual rotation has been bucked in recent years due to partisan politics and infighting. The move was intended to restore an annual rotation to the board leadership, according to Commissioner Jill Johnson, who made the nomination.

“I have been the board chair for a year and a half, and I think that’s been sufficient time chairing, and I think going back to the rotation is healthy for the county,” said Johnson, who represents the Oak Harbor area.

The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Aubrey Vaughan, who represents part of North Whidbey and Camano Island, and Price Johnson accepted the appointment.

Former commissioner Kelly Emerson, a Republican, was passed over for her turn at chairwoman in 2011 when Price Johnson and former commissioner Angie Homola, both Democrats, appointed Price Johnson.

Emerson nominated herself as chairwoman at the end of 2012 and again at the beginning of 2013. She was named chairwoman in March 2013 but was stripped of the title after defying board consensus.

Johnson has served as chairwoman since that time.

Emerson quit suddenly in May of this year, seven months short of her complete term.

A Camano Island resident, Emerson also has a residence in Kitsap County, where she ran for auditor in this year’s election. She lost to her Democratic opponent by a margin of 5 percent, according to the Kitsap County elections website.

Price Johnson pointed out that, according to county code, the board chooses the next year’s chairperson during the first regular board meeting after the general election but has the option to defer that decision until the newly-elected commissioner takes office.

Though the election results have not been certified, the apparent winner for District 3 commissioner is Republican Rick Hannold of North Whidbey. He leads opponent Karla Jacks, of Camano Island, by 134 votes as of last count. The narrow margin has triggered a recount.

Johnson said she wouldn’t change her vote in the new year and that re-establishing the traditional rotation was a priority for her.