Editor,

We started this journey early this year. In many ways, I had no idea what a public campaign was. Yet, the campaign came together — even in a pandemic — and we did so many things right, including: giving the Island County voters a real choice in this race; educating many about the importance of the courts to our county; running a clean, positive race that represented my values; and spending approximately 75 percent of all campaign expenditures in Island County.

But the votes have been counted. While we ran a good race, the campaign came up short. I have contacted Carolyn Cliff, our new judge-elect for Position 2, and congratulated her on a good run.

I thank my campaign committee: Phyllis, Polly, Lars, John, Mike, Bill, Connie, Maggie, George, Carol, Jenifer, Diana and Forrest. You have been awesome and hard-working. You believed in me throughout the campaign. We had peaks, valleys, surprises and beauty. Thank you.

And a big thank you to all of the campaign volunteers. You know who you are, but have to shout out to super volunteers, Ann, Barb and Joani. All of the edits, calls, notes, sign-waving and other activities were noted with appreciation. We couldn’t have done this without you.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my best friend and loving husband George and all our family. I love you all! And that family includes the two dogs who spanned the election campaign. We lost a great dog Jill and gained another great one, Pinky.

Now we move forward honoring the role of the judiciary. I ask for your support for our two new judges-elect: Carolyn Cliff and Chris Skinner. They will be the judges for all of Island County. Please treat them with the respect that their offices deserve.

I also thank our long time-retiring judges: Vickie Churchill and Alan Hancock. We thank them for their many years of public service to this county. May their retirements be a joy to them and to their families.

While it is unclear what I will do next, beyond sleep, I do know that something good awaits. And it will involve the things that matter most to me.

Again, thank you for your support of me and this campaign. It was a privilege to run for Island County Superior Court Judge Position 2. And I am ever grateful for that opportunity.

Kathleen Petrich

Langley