PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Commissioner John Austin will announce whether he will run for a third term at a Democratic Party function March 18.
The gathering, part of the regular “Dems Dine Out” functions held periodically, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Twana Road House, 294793 U.S. Highway 101 in Quilcene.
Austin said he already has made his decision but will not disclose it publicly until then.
The Port Townsend Democrat was first elected to the county Board of Commissioners in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010, earning 57 percent of the vote against Republican Jim Boyer.
His present term ends at the end of the year.
He represents District 3, which includes Port Ludlow, Quilcene, Brinnon and the western portion of the county that extends to the Pacific Ocean.
Austin, who turns 73 on April 4, said his age has not been a factor in his decision.
“I can tell you that my decision had nothing to do with advancing age or early-onset dementia,” he said.
“Although there are people who will tell you that I’ve had dementia for the past eight years.”