Port Hadlock businesswoman to make independent try at county commissioner

Published 5:46 am Tuesday, February 26, 2008

PORT HADLOCK — Saying Jefferson County needs to focus on jobs and affordable housing to economically survive, county building-industry representative and marketing professional Sandy Hershelman is challenging David Sullivan for his county commissioner seat.

“It’s about time for a more affordable Jefferson County,” said Hershelman, announcing her run for the Jefferson County commissioner, District 2, seat.

“This county is in desperate need of family-wage jobs and affordable housing.”

Sullivan about three weeks ago announced he will seek a second term to represent District 2, which covers the Tri-Area, Kala Point, Cape George and the surrounding areas.

Hershelman, 50, announced Monday that she will run as an independent against Sullivan, to avoid the vast Republican-Democrat divide in Jefferson County.

“I was approached by [Jefferson County] Republicans to run, but I said, ‘I am not a Republican,'” she said.

Hershelman said she was out to win.

“I’m not doing it to make a statement. I’m doing it because I want his job,” said Hershelman, who considers herself a “conservative Democrat.”