Patrick Kennedy is maintaining a lead over Mike Seraphinoff in the race for a seat on the Port of Coupeville board of commissioners.

Though emerging as the winner with 52% of the vote, Kennedy said Seraphinoff’s participation in the race was an invaluable contribution to the greater discussion around port issues.

Both candidates filed to run for the position during the county’s special filing period after no one stepped up during the regular filing period to run for the seat being vacated by Mohammad Mostafavinassab.

Kennedy comes to the position with prior experience on boards and committees at such organizations as the Economic Development Council for Island County, Goosefoot Community Fund, Bayview Vision Steering Committee, Whidbey Camano Land Trust, Whidbey Community Foundation and Island Shakespeare, plus professional experience in commercial and nonprofit finance and organizational leadership development.

“I would first like to thank everyone that took the time to vote, and those organizations such as your paper, the LWV, and others, that help us make better informed decisions,” he wrote in a statement.

He also promised the community he will “earn your trust as a steward of our heritage sites and, as importantly, through activities to promote the economic well-being of our community.”

Previously, Kennedy identified enhancing the port’s current assets and minimizing employee turnover as his top priorities for the port district.

“My thanks as well to Mike Seraphinoff, who stepped up to contribute great ideas into this discussion,” he continued. “This race is a clear example of how we’re better together.”