County

Jefferson 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 Jefferson County's budget, sets county tax rates and land-use policy, and oversees county departments.

County Commissioner District No. 3 on the county's sample ballot. Only District 3 voters nominated in the primary; the finalists are on the countywide ballot in November (Jefferson County Beacon).

Candidates Compare by issue

Anji Scalf

Prefers Democratic Party

4-H program coordinator, Washington State University Extension

The gist

Supports same-day permits for ADUs and infill housing.
Supports building climate resilience into county planning.
Supported the county parks and recreation levy lid lift.
Proposes annual impact reports for every county department.
Pledges to use the county comprehensive plan as its roadmap.
Supports saving for rainy days and seeking outside funding.

More about Anji

View sources (2)

Supports same-day permits for ADUs and infill housing.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“where you can walk in and leave with a simple permit the same day, especially for ADUs and infill”
Supports building climate resilience into county planning.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“The county is already weaving climate resilience into every layer of government, and I'd continue and deepen that work.”
Supported the county parks and recreation levy lid lift.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“Yes, I support Prop 1.”
Proposes annual impact reports for every county department.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“I'd like to see that across every county department so the public can see the value of what they're paying for.”
Pledges to use the county comprehensive plan as its roadmap.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“The comp plan is a roadmap, and we need to use it.”
Supports saving for rainy days and seeking outside funding.
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 believe spending wisely, planning for rainy days, and fighting for our fair share will be critical in the coming years.”

Stephen T. Nieman

Prefers Republican Party

Construction manager and inspector

The gist

Pledges to balance the county budget without tax increases.
Supports service cuts or efficiencies to close budget gaps.
Proposes reviewing permit requirements to lower housing costs.
Proposes a county shared-equity home ownership program.
Opposes expanded Critical Areas Ordinance restrictions on landowners.
Supports easy public access to county records.
Opposed the parks and recreation levy lid lift.

More about Stephen

View sources (2)

Pledges to balance the county budget without 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
“The biggest challenge facing Jefferson County is balancing the budget without further tax increases.”
Supports service cuts or efficiencies to close budget gaps.
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
“We now must face reality and make hard budget decisions which may mean cuts in some services or making them more efficient.”
Proposes reviewing permit requirements to lower housing costs.
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
“A thorough review of permitting requirements is essential to lower the cost of new housing in Jefferson County.”
Proposes a county shared-equity home ownership program.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“My Joint Jefferson County Share Equity Home proposal—on my website—would get people between $60-80,000 into a home for $2,000 a month.”
Opposes expanded Critical Areas Ordinance restrictions on landowners.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“The real issue is that we've doubled down on the Critical Areas Ordinance.”
Supports easy public access to county records.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“I think you absolutely should be able to access any public record.”
Opposed the parks and recreation levy lid lift.
Welcome to the Beacon's Official 2026 Primary Voters' Guide
Candidate questionnaire · Jefferson County Beacon · jeffcobeacon.com
“Do I support it? No. But do I think we have to pay it? Yeah.”

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; 4 issues covered in this race.