Gaylord running for San Juan Co. Superior Court

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord announced Saturday he is running for San Juan County Superior Court judge.

Gaylord was one of two candidates considered for the position last year when it was created by the Legislature at the behest of the San Juan County Council and the judges of the then-combined Island County-San Juan County Superior Court.

John Linde, at the time a Friday Harbor attorney, won the appointment by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Gaylord earned his juris doctorate at the University of Utah College of Law. He has served as prosecuting attorney since 1994. He has 22 years of legal experience. He has been rated “exceptionally well qualified” by several bar associations and law groups.

Pratt running for council, San Juan South

San Juan County Planning Commissioner Lovel Pratt has announced her candidacy for San Juan County Council, San Juan South.

Pratt is one of two candidates to announce a candidacy for the San Juan South position. The other is Dan Miller Jr., a landscaper and past candidate for the state Legislature and County Commission.

Chuck Rust, a town firefighter, dropped out of the race.

The primary election is Aug. 19. The general election is Nov. 4. Four local positions are on the ballot: County Council, San Juan South; County Council, Friday Harbor; County Council, Orcas West; and Superior Court judge.

Council members serve four-year terms. They are paid about $34,000 a year and receive the same benefits package offered to county employees

Pratt has several years of experience working and volunteering in local county government, agriculture, affordable housing and education. She was first appointed to the county Planning Commission in 1999 and was chairwoman for two years. In 2003, The Journal named her Citizen of the Year for her work as executive director of the San Juan Community Home Trust.

“I will work towards a more inclusive public participation process. Decisions should be made with plenty of public participation. We’re a small enough community that this is practical — people with different views and interests can meet face to face and work to arrive at a best possible solution.

“San Juan County faces challenges — such as ferry transportation — that can only be solved with the active cooperation of our State Legislature. I will commit to going to Olympia when the Legislature is in session at least one day a month, regardless of compensation, to work with our legislators on county issues that must be addressed at the state level.”

Pratt has been a volunteer firefighter, a WSU Extension Food Systems Education coordinator, and is currently the project director for the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild.

She can be reached at electlovel@gmail.com.