Rick Hughes has earned my vote to re-elect him to our county council.

Over the past eight years on the council, Rick has taken a pragmatic, balanced and thoughtful approach to the issues we all care about. He has demonstrated a view of the council’s mission that actively represents and advocates for all members of our diverse island communities. Rick approaches his job without an agenda, partisan or otherwise, collaboratively working with all of us and with the other council members and county officials.

His leadership on ferry service issues, particularly as they affect islanders, has been an invaluable asset, representing us with legislators in other ferry-served communities and in Olympia and Washington DC.

We need Rick Hughes’s hands-on experience as we face the challenges of the post-pandemic world and the impacts of increasing numbers of visitors to the San Juans. There are no easy solutions, no “us vs. them” approaches, no false “business vs. community” choices, for these issues we all care about. Rick has the experience, the skill set and the demonstrated ability to listen to and work for all of us. We deserve nothing less. Please join me and vote to keep Rick Hughes on the county council.

Bob Distler

Orcas Island