Republican primary voters have a choice between two candidates for Island County Assessor.

Daniel Jones, an Assessor’s Office employee, and Don Mason, who works for the Island County Board of Equalization, are vying for the opportunity to meet the sole Democrat running, Dave Mattens, in the November general election.

Both Republican candidates are very familiar with the Assessor’s Office and, on paper, have the credentials to lead it. However, Mason has the perspective that most voters are likely looking for.

The Board of Equalization is the body that hears appeals from people unhappy with what the Assessor’s Office says their property is worth — the higher the property value the higher the taxes one must pay. As clerk of the board, Mason has had the opportunity to witness hundreds of unhappy taxpayers bring their appeals to the board. He knows first-hand the emotional and financial trauma that erroneously high assessments can have on people, and this an invaluable perspective for an elected assessor. He will likely be more sympathetic to the average property owner than someone like Daniel Jones who has spent his career appraising properties and then defending those appraisals.

Jones speaks of the technical deficiencies of the Assessor’s Office and how to address them through the acquisition of expensive new computer programs. Mason seems more intent on doing the best with what he’s got, which is a necessity considering Island County’s always-tight budget situation. Besides, those who think technology is the answer have a good candidate in Democrat Dave Mattens. A Mason vs. Matten race in November will give voters a good choice in the general election.