To the Editor:
I was talking with a friend from San Juan Island and asked what he would think about someone from Stuart Island as the San Juan Island representative on the county council. His response was that it would be a problem; different culture, different issues and the likely inability to understand San Juan Island’s people and priorities. I then sought out a friend from Orcas Island and asked what she would think about their council representative coming from Waldron. She responded “no way” for the same reasons.
This election, we are facing a similar scenario on Lopez Island, which at approximately 3,100 residents has over 94% of the population in District 3, compared to Shaw Island with fewer than 200 residents.
Katherine Bryant Ingman has tremendous leadership experience and qualities, all developed over 10 years on Lopez Island. As president of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, she worked with leaders to secure a new provider for the Lopez Clinic so people could continue getting care here on the island. Her opponent’s experience has been on Shaw, not Lopez, where a large majority of District 3 lives.
And for those voters who think residency isn’t really important as the council is charged with making countywide decisions, let me note that I was in those shoes as a county commissioner for 12 years and there are always ongoing issues that are island-centric and demand a leader who has experience and understands the people and priorities from their own island.
Finally, Lopez knows who would be best for our island as evidenced by Katherine’s overwhelming primary election victory on Lopez. However, San Juan Island and Orcas Island will largely control the outcome of this election, and we hope their voters will understand and appreciate Lopez Island’s large majority support for Katherine.
—Tom Cowan, former San Juan County Commissioner, Lopez Island; Oct. 7, 2026