County

Island County Commissioner

District 3

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The board of county commissioners adopts Island County's budget, sets county tax rates and land-use policy, and oversees county departments.

Nominated by District 3 voters in the primary; the whole county votes in November (RCW 36.32.040; Island is not a charter county).

Candidates Compare by issue

Matthew Van Pelt

Prefers Republican Party

Small business owner; Navy veteran

The gist

Pledges to address rising housing costs with sensible growth.
Supports downtown revitalization and tourism to limit tax increases.
Proposes investing in training to retain county staff.
Pledges regular in-person and virtual town hall meetings.
Supports practical solutions for strained emergency and medical services.

More about Matthew

View sources (2)

Pledges to address rising housing costs with sensible growth.
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“working to address rising housing costs and support sensible growth that protects our natural resources and quality of life”
Supports downtown revitalization and tourism to limit tax increases.
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“Creating welcoming business districts and stronger local economies helps generate jobs, encourage tourism, and reduce pressure for continued tax increases.”
Proposes investing in training to retain county staff.
Election 2026: Three vying for Island County commissioner District 3 seat
Candidate questionnaire · Stanwood Camano News · goskagit.com
“The cost to retrain new staff outweighs the cost to retain qualified staff”
Pledges regular in-person and virtual town hall meetings.
Election 2026: Three vying for Island County commissioner District 3 seat
Candidate questionnaire · Stanwood Camano News · goskagit.com
“holding regular town hall meetings in person and virtually”
Supports practical solutions for strained emergency and medical services.
Candidate statement, Online Voters' Guide, November 3, 2026 General Election
Provided by the campaign · Washington Secretary of State (statement written by the candidate) · voter.votewa.gov
“I recognize the growing strain on local medical services, emergency response resources, and public safety.”

Grant Shaw

Prefers Democratic Party

Retail management; community volunteer

The gist

Proposes tying new development to water and septic capacity.
Supports ADUs, smaller homes and workforce housing.
Supports clear, predictable permitting.
Pledges to protect farmland, forests and rural neighborhoods.
Pledges to seek efficiencies amid county budget challenges.
Proposes pursuing outside funding for infrastructure.

More about Grant

View sources (2)

Proposes tying new development to water and septic capacity.
Issues
Campaign website · Elect Grant Shaw · electgrantshaw.com
“New development needs to account for available water and septic capacity”
Supports ADUs, smaller homes and workforce housing.
Issues
Campaign website · Elect Grant Shaw · electgrantshaw.com
“That means looking at practical options such as ADUs, smaller homes, and workforce housing, particularly where infrastructure can support them.”
Supports clear, predictable permitting.
Issues
Campaign website · Elect Grant Shaw · electgrantshaw.com
“We should also make permitting clear and predictable so government doesn't unnecessarily add time and expense”
Pledges to protect farmland, forests and rural neighborhoods.
Issues
Campaign website · Elect Grant Shaw · electgrantshaw.com
“We can create room for housing and economic opportunity while protecting farmland, forests, open spaces, and rural neighborhoods.”
Pledges to seek efficiencies amid county budget challenges.
Election 2026: Three vying for Island County commissioner District 3 seat
Candidate questionnaire · Stanwood Camano News · goskagit.com
“Island County faces real budget challenges, and we need leaders willing to ask tough questions, look for new efficiencies”
Proposes pursuing outside funding for infrastructure.
Issues
Campaign website · Elect Grant Shaw · electgrantshaw.com
“maintaining what taxpayers have already invested in, planning ahead for future needs, pursuing outside funding”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.