The filing period for candidates in Washington state ended Friday with a slew of Island County folks throwing their hats in the proverbial ring.

The primary elections will occur Sept. 14, with the new party-specific system in place. The general election will be Nov. 2.

Four people have paid the $678.08 for a spot on the ballot under the heading of “county commissioner.”

Mac McDowell, who is also seeking his fourth term as commissioner, is running unopposed for the District 2 seat after Democrat Lionel Peoples discovered he was on the wrong side of the district boundary line. The Oak Harbor area comprises the district.

The most hotly contested local seat is the Island County commissioner spot for District 1, which encompasses Whidbey Island south of Oak Harbor. Two people have stepped up to challenge incumbent Mike Shelton.

Dean Enell is the only Democrat to jump into the fray. “I’ve come to the conclusion that it makes sense to get active in local politics, to take a proactive approach, instead of reacting,” Enell said.

Enell said the district has never had a Democratic commissioner. This shows the need for more dispersed representation, he said.

“I think the problem now is we have three individuals up there who kind of think a bit too much alike,” Enell said.

The race for the District 1 seat features another newcomer, businesswoman Reece Rose. For her, the lack of representation is what encouraged her to enter the race.

“I just felt like they’re not listening to what the public is saying,” she said. “We are overtaxed and I find it kind of offensive.”

Rose and Enell face incumbent Mike Shelton, who is seeking his fourth term in office.

Rose said she is ready for the challenge of unseating the perennial favorite. “He’s going for 16 years in office,” she said. “He’s obviously very well entrenched, but I think people are ready for a change.”

Shelton said he is seeking the spot again because of his commitments to ongoing projects. Shelton currently sits on the State Task Force on Mental Health, which he said is attempting to handle significant funding changes coming to Washington from the federal government.

Shelton also is anticipating the 2005 update to the Growth Management Act. He said he is also concerned about the state of the county’s fiscal plan.

Although he is currently a commissioner, he said he does not intend to ignore the responsibilities of his position. “When employed as a county commissioner, the responsibilities of this office don’t go away just because there is an election,” Shelton said.

As for McDowell, he said serving the community keeps him motivated about his job.

“I enjoy those days when I feel I’ve done something to help the people or a person of Island County,” McDowell said. “Sometimes a person gets caught up in the wheels of government and it takes a little effort to get them unstuck.”

McDowell also touts his contacts to Washington D.C., which can come in handy if Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is served on the chopping block again.

“What keeps me going is there was a mistake once in 1991, but it was taken off,” McDowell said.

McDowell said he is confident the people will re-elect him because of the strong support base he has built throughout his terms.

“I think most people who have known me over the years have thought I’ve been pretty consistent,” he said.

You can reach News-Times reporter Eric Berto at eberto@whidbeynewstimes.com.