With ballots in the Sept. 14 primary still trickling in, Island County Commissioner Mike Shelton appears to have outdistanced his opponent Reece Rose.

As of Friday afternoon, Shelton led Rose by 508 votes in the Republican primary. He now turns his attention to Democratic challenger Dean Enell in November’s general election.

Shelton said some key differences will emerge between the two candidates in the coming weeks.

“Dean is probably way more environmentally oriented than I am,” Shelton said. “In order to meet the needs of all of our citizens, we need to put on our blinders. I have tried to protect the environment but at the same time, give them good uses of their properties.”

Enell said the quality of life in the county needs to be maintained. This means protecting its rural character while adding jobs. He said this means allowing growth, but not over-using natural resources.

“(Growth is) not something you try to stop,” Enell said. “It’s trying to channel it to maintain the things about here that make it where you want to live.”

Growth is a contentious issue that both candidates will address at length. Both have said that growth is a good thing, so long as it is done properly. For Shelton, one of the necessary steps in the county’s growth is an expansion of the Sheriff’s office.

“We need to ensure adequate resources to expand the Sheriff’s department in order to accommodate our increased population,” Shelton said.

Enell said targeting the technology industry is a way to channel people back to the island.

“There are hundreds of people who commute,” Enell said. “If they could do that kind of work on the island, they would be more apt to be more active in the county.”

Enell said the hi-tech industry would also have minimal impact on the rural character of the county because it would not require natural resources.

The county’s financial well being is something Shelton said he has worked for in his 12 years as commissioner.

“We run a fiscally sound ship here,” he said. “I just think that I have contributed to a good, stable government for the last 12 years.”

Shelton said in his years as commissioner, the county has been able to construct a new law and justice center, remodel the existing county facilities in Coupeville and is about to break ground on the new juvenile detention facility.

“We’ve been able to do that without raising taxes,” Shelton said.

Enell has stressed the issue of representation. He said Shelton’s biggest strength could also be one of his weaknesses.

“He’s been around for so long,” Enell said. “A lot of people feel it’s time for a change… you need some fresh ideas.”