County

Skagit County Commissioner

District 3, Short and full term

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

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

Candidates must live in Commissioner District 3 and were nominated there in the primary, but voters countywide elect the commissioner. The winner serves the rest of the current term (short term) and the next four-year term.

Candidates Compare by issue

Keith L. Wagoner

Prefers Republican Party

State Senator, 39th Legislative District

The gist

Supports reducing regulatory and tax burdens on farms and businesses
Sponsored bills sending liquor, cannabis revenue to local governments
Opposed raising local governments' property taxing authority
Sponsored a statewide co-responder training curriculum

More about Keith

View sources (2)

Supports reducing regulatory and tax burdens on farms and businesses
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 understand the importance of promoting our farms and businesses and the need to reduce regulatory and tax burdens at all levels of government.”
Platform
Provided by the campaign · Wagoner For County Commissioner · wagonerforcc.com
“Keith will work to reduce cumbersome regulations on our farmers and our small businesses.”
Sponsored bills sending liquor, cannabis revenue to local governments
Platform
Provided by the campaign · Wagoner For County Commissioner · wagonerforcc.com
“His bills SB5568 (Returns liquor revenue to local government) and SB5404 (Doubles cannabis revenue to local government)”
Opposed raising local governments' property taxing authority
Platform
Provided by the campaign · Wagoner For County Commissioner · wagonerforcc.com
“Keith led in the fight to defeat a proposed 300% increase in property taxing authority to local government.”
Sponsored a statewide co-responder training curriculum
Platform
Provided by the campaign · Wagoner For County Commissioner · wagonerforcc.com
“Senator Wagoner also was the prime sponsor of legislation that created a statewide “co-responder” curriculum”

Joe Burns

Prefers Democratic Party

Skagit County Commissioner, District 3 · Sedro-Woolley

The gist

Supports protecting tax dollars and planning for growth
Secured grants and strengthened flood protection as commissioner
Supports focus on housing, infrastructure and public health
Pledges to serve as a full-time commissioner

More about Joe

View sources (2)

Supports protecting tax dollars and planning for 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
“That means protecting taxpayer dollars, planning responsibly for growth, and focusing on solutions to affordability.”
Secured grants and strengthened flood protection as commissioner
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
“As commissioner, I have helped secure grant funding, supported local agriculture, and strengthened flood protection for our communities.”
Supports focus on housing, infrastructure and public health
Meet Your Commissioner
Provided by the campaign · Friends to Elect Joe Burns · electjoeburns.com
“housing, infrastructure, public health, emergency preparedness, and an economy that works for both rural and urban communities across Skagit County”
Pledges to serve as a full-time commissioner
Meet Your Commissioner
Provided by the campaign · Friends to Elect Joe Burns · electjoeburns.com
“Being your Commissioner is a full time job. … Joe stepped down from the City Council and left teaching when he took this role”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.