As ballots begin to arrive in mailboxes throughout Clallam County for the Nov. 3 General Election, candidates for District 1 Clallam County Commissioner Mark Ozias and incumbent Jim McEntire are growing their support.

McEntire support

Already, with a couple of weeks still left on the campaign trail, McEntire has endorsements from the Washington State Farm Bureau, the Sequim Association of Realtors, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Port of Seattle commissioner and candidate for governor Bill Bryant. Coupled with the support from numerous financial contributors, including the Port Angeles Association of Realtors, Green Crow Corporation, the Republican Women of Clallam County as well as individuals, McEntire’s campaign has raised $23,485.61, according to the Public Disclosure Commission data.

Endorsements from organizations like the Sequim Associations of Realtors are highly valued by McEntire, as they’re “locally rooted,” he said, and “those are the people that know me best.”

As for support from statewide organizations, like the endorsement from Washington State Farm Bureau, McEntire feels that also is spurred at a local level.

“Usually statewide organizations don’t make local endorsements unless folks from the area are speaking up,” he said.

McEntire explained he’s also received re-election support from some of the same individuals and businesses that helped to get him elected in 2011, which provides insight into his ability to maintain support even after serving on Clallam County Board of Commissioners, he said.

Ozias support

While McEntire continues his efforts to keep his voter base and gain new support, Ozias leads in financial contributions with $32,000.50, according to the Public Disclosure Commission data.

“I have a very broad range of people that have endorsed me,” Ozias said.

But, either from an individual or an organization, Ozias admits finding “both aspects of support” whether it be an endorsement or financial contribution “very humbling,” he said.

Some of those hoping Ozias can secure a seat on the Clallam County Board of Commissioners include the Democrats of Clallam County, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, North Olympic Sierra Club, Teamsters Local 589 and current Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman.

Chapman’s support is “meaningful to me because of his diverse experience and being someone who has worked with dozens of elected officials,” Ozias said.

As for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s support — it’s something Ozias is “proud” of he said.

“They (the tribe) want to be working partners with the county and I share that common goal,” he said. “Personally, the tribe’s support is meaningful because the Jamestown S’Klallam, and really all the local tribes, do a good job of living their values and finding ways to put those values into action — I think the county can learn from that.”

Endorsements from the Teamsters Local 589 and North Olympic Sierra Club are more “traditional” sources of support for his Democratic political base, Ozias said, but having both traditional and non-traditional support from those like Chapman reflects his ability to provide the skills and leadership this county needs right now, he said.

For more

For more information on District 1 Clallam County Commissioner candidates, visit www.electjimmcentire.com and www.markozias.org.