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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).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    • Pledges to seek efficiencies amid county budget challenges.

Public safety

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports practical solutions for strained emergency and medical services.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    No documented position found.

Housing

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    • Pledges to address rising housing costs with sensible growth.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    • Supports ADUs, smaller homes and workforce housing.
    • Supports clear, predictable permitting.

Economy & jobs

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    • Supports downtown revitalization and tourism to limit tax increases.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    • Proposes pursuing outside funding for infrastructure.

Environment & parks

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    No documented position found.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    • Proposes tying new development to water and septic capacity.
    • Pledges to protect farmland, forests and rural neighborhoods.

Government & transparency

  • Matthew Van PeltPrefers Republican Party

    • Proposes investing in training to retain county staff.
    • Pledges regular in-person and virtual town hall meetings.

  • Grant ShawPrefers Democratic Party

    No documented position found.

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.