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Candidate Forums and Interviews

For the August 5th Primary, the League conducted individual interviews for races where there are more than two candidates vying for election. Candidates were asked to make an introductory statement, then answer three questions submitted by the public.

Quick links to recordings:

Bainbridge Island City Council District 3, South Ward
Bremerton City Council, District 3
Bremerton School District Director, Pos. 4
Bremerton School District Director, Pos. 5
Bremerton Mayor
North Kitsap School District Director, Pos. 1
Kitsap Regional Library, Proposition 1

Bainbridge Island City Council District 3, South Ward

All Candidate Interviews for BI City Council

Sarah M Blossom, Mike Nelson and Dawn Janow are candidates for this position, and their names will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

To get to know each candidate better, we began the interviews by asking the candidates to introduce themselves and share why they are running for the Bainbridge City Council.

We then asked the candidates the same three questions, allowing 90 seconds to answer each question.

Question 1: From your perspective, what are the most significant challenges the Bainbridge City Council faces and, specifically, how will you address the issues?

Question 2: Please describe how you envision community engagement with your direct constituents (South Ward) as well as the entire Island citizenry.

Question 3: What policy (policies) will you support to insure sufficient water supply now and into the future.

Accordion Widget

Individual Candidate Interviews for BI City Council

Candidate Interview for Sarah Blossom:

Candidate Interview for Mike Nelson:

Candidate Interview for Dawn Janow:

Bremerton City Council District 3

All Candidate Interviews for Bremerton City Council

Ash Black, Christy Cammarata, and Micheal Simonds are candidates for this position, and their names will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

To get to know each candidate better, we began the interviews by asking the candidates to introduce themselves and share why they are running for the Bremerton City Council.

We then asked the candidates the same three questions, allowing 90 seconds to answer each question.

Question 1: If elected, what would be your top priorities as a city council member, and how would you implement them?

Question 2: How would you stimulate economic growth and employment diversity in the Bremerton area?

Question 3: Housing prices are rising in Bremerton. What would be your role as a city council member in helping keep prices affordable and providing aid to anyone who currently does not have a home?

Accordion Widget

Individual Candidate Interviews for Bremerton City Council

Candidate Interview for Ash Black:

Candidate Interview for Christy Cammarata:

Candidate Interview for Michael Simonds:

Bremerton School District Director, Position 4

All Candidate Interviews for Bremerton School District Director, Pos. 4

Jenny Farley, Shannon Turner, and Chris Warthen are candidates for this position, and their names will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

To get to know each candidate better, we began the interviews by asking the candidates to introduce themselves and share why they are running for the Bremerton School District Director, Position 4.

We then asked the candidates the same three questions, allowing 90 seconds to answer each question.

Question 1: What is your view of the role of the School Board and its members?

Question 2: After the November election, the Board will have at least one new member. What are your ideas to work together as a team, even if you might disagree with other team members?

Question 3: The District recently hired a new superintendent. What types of goals would you propose for them and how would you hold them accountable?

Accordion Widget

Individual Candidate Interviews for Bremerton School Dist. Director, Pos 4

Candidate Interview for Jenny Farley:

Candidate Interview for Shannon Turner:

Candidate Interview for Chris Warthen:

Bremerton School District Director, Position 5

All Candidate Interviews for Bremerton School District Director, Pos. 5

Ben Anderson, Linda Osborn Simpson, and Mary Devery are candidates for this position, and their names will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

To get to know each candidate better, we began the interviews by asking the candidates to introduce themselves and share why they are running for the Bremerton School District Director, Position 5.

We then asked the candidates the same three questions, allowing 90 seconds to answer each question.

Question 1: What is your view of the role of the School Board and its members?

Question 2: How do you plan to communicate and engage with parents and the community to learn their views and concerns?

Question 3: The District recently hired a new superintendent. What types of goals would you propose for them and how would you hold them accountable?

Accordion Widget

Individual Candidate Interviews for Bremerton School Dist. Director, Pos 5

Candidate Interview for Ben Anderson:

Candidate Interview for Linda Osborn Simpson:

Candidate Interview for Mary Devery:

Bremerton Mayor

All Candidate Interviews for Bremerton Mayor

Greg Wheeler, Jeff Coughlin, and Marwan Cameron are candidates for this position, and their names will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

To get to know each candidate better, we began the interviews by asking the candidates to introduce themselves and share why they are running for Bremerton Mayor.

We then asked the candidates the same three questions, allowing 90 seconds to answer each question.

Question 1: Please share with us your top priorities or issues that you’d like to address if elected, and why you believe they are important for Bremerton?

Question 2: What SPECIFIC strategies will you put forward for decreasing homelessness in Bremerton, and what services will you support with funding for the already homeless in Bremerton? What homeless coalitions and outreach providers will you directly work with to help our homeless neighbors?

Question 3: Please reflect on a decision you've made in a leadership position that you wish had a better outcome. What - if anything - would you have changed (for a better outcome) and why?

Accordion Widget

Individual Candidate Interviews for Bremerton Mayor

Candidate Interview for Greg Wheeler:

Candidate Interview for Jeff Coughlin:

Candidate Interview for Marwan Cameron:

North Kitsap School Board Director, Position 1

All Candidate Interviews for NK School Board Director

Seth Hartmann, Debra Strawhun, and Leighton Thomas are candidates for this position, and their names will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

To get to know each candidate better, we began the interviews by asking the candidates to introduce themselves and share why they are running for North Kitsap School Board Director.

We then asked the candidates the same three questions, allowing 90 seconds to answer each question.

Question 1: Do you support putting a new bond proposal on the ballot in 2026? If so, what would your priorities be for the funds? If not, how would you plan to address the District's aging facilities?

Question 2: How will you support all children academically, physically, mentally, and against bullying, particularly children whose identities have led to them being under-supported or excluded historically?

Question 3: How do you plan to communicate and engage with the community, and especially with marginalized or minority families?

Accordion Widget

Individual Candidate Interviews for NK School Board Director

Candidate Interview for Seth Hartmann:

Candidate Interview for Debra Strawhun:

Candidate Interview for Leighton Thomas:

Kitsap Regional Library Proposition 1: A Regular Property Tax Levy Lid Lift for Support of Public Library Services

Interviews with Yes and No Sides

The Kitsap County Voters Pamphlet provides arguments and rebuttals for and against the measure from the supporting Committees. The issue will appear on your Kitsap County Primary Ballot.

This recording of the Kitsap Regional Library Proposition 1, includes Shannon Peterson of the Committee For the Measure and Susan Schultheis of the Committee Against the Measure.

To get to know more about the issue for voters, we began the interviews with a brief description of the proposition and then asked representatives to introduce themselves and explain why they are supporting their side, for or against, the Kitsap Regional Library Proposition 1.

We then asked the representatives the same five questions, allowing 120 seconds (2 minutes) to answer each question.

Question 1: Do you believe the proposition will support the needs of the community? Please explain why.

Question 2: How much will this proposition cost a Kitsap County property owner?

Question 3: How will the proceeds of the levy lift be distributed across the county--and is it a fair distribution?

Question 4: Is it the right time to pass this proposition? Please explain.

Question 5: Please address what we haven’t asked that is important for us to know as we vote yes or no on our ballots.

About the League
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that provides voter information and encourages citizen participation in government. We do not support or oppose any party or candidate.

About Our Forums and Candidate Interviews
The Kitsap League uses questions submitted in advance of the forum or interview. We may adjust the wording to keep the questions neutral and nonpartisan. We may not have time to ask all of the submitted questions.

All candidates are invited to participate.