I have lived on Orcas for 30-plus years and voted for many County Council leaders. Our island challenges are complex and have become even more so since Covid. We are still in recovery mode and need to rebuild our resources and economy in San Juan County.

This election brings forth excellent candidates for District 2 – Rick Hughes and Justin Paulsen. We are fortunate to have such engaged and committed leaders. I am compelled to vote for experience – and that vote goes to Rick Hughes!

I have known him for years and supported Rick Hughes since his first campaign in 2012. Over the years, he has built a strong network with our local, state and national representatives. Those relationships are critical to being seen and heard, in Olympia and Washington, DC, as funding and opportunities flow from being in the room with decision-makers.

That experience and relational capital are essential to San Juan County in these times of great change. Join me in voting for District 2 Council candidate Rick Hughes. Experience matters!

Gretchen Krampf

Orcas Island