Candidates took each other on one last time at Thursday’s final political forum put on by the League of Women Voters in Oak Harbor.

Ballots went out last week for the November general election.

Congressman Rick Larsen, a second district Democrat, said he is supportive of background checks for gun transitions both on a federal and state level, such as Initiative 594.

Republican challenger B.J. Guillot said he fully supports the second amendment and that it’s “very important for Americans to keep these rights.”

Guillot said he doesn’t support subsidies for alternate sources of energy like wind and solar because “companies should be able to compete on their own without that.”

Larsen countered saying that the government should continue to support and incentivize renewable energies.

When asked about how to address the country’s income disparity, Larsen said a good place to start will be in campaign finance reform and repeal of Citizens United.

“We have to play the long game on this,” Larsen said. “There are a few billionaires who like to make all the decisions.”

Guillot said he’s not supportive of any legislation that addresses income equality because he believes, “if you work hard you should be rewarded.”

“I like to see people work hard,” Guillot said.

Democratic commissioner candidate Karla Jacks said her top priorities if elected will be revising the county’s comprehensive plan, maintaining a practical budget and improving access to elected officials and department heads.

Rick Hannold, her Republican opponent, said as commissioner he would focus on public safety and boosting the economy for Island County.

As a retired Navy chief petty officer, Hannold said he brings “battle-tested leadership ability,” with solid problem-solving abilities and a high level of integrity.

Jacks said her strengths include her “willingness to listen to all the stakeholders, all sides of the issue, and be respectful.”

If elected, Hannold or Jacks would likely serve at some point on the Island Transit Board which oversees the agency that was recently forced to fire 22 people and make service cuts.

Hannold said he believes the problems facing Island Transit are “just the tip of the iceberg” and that major changes need to occur.

Jacks said she would support the direction set by current board members and would want to “keep moving forward” to help try to reestablish services.

Republican challenger Wanda Grone criticized incumbent Island County Treasurer Ana Maria Nuñez for the $1 million investment loss the county experienced this year. Nuñez said that risk is inherent to investing and said that she has made the county nearly $2 million in her time as treasurer.

Nuñez highlighted the fact that she recently got the office caught up on a backlog of supplements she inherited when she took office four years ago.

“Look to the accomplishments of the office,” Nuñez said. “The end goal of all this is to provide better efficiencies to the community.”

Nuñez said moving forward her top three priorities will be restructuring her office to ensure proper oversight, balancing the county’s investment portfolio and placing treasurer office staff and resources on Camano Island.

Grone said her top three priorities would be ensuring accuracy in statement creation, billing and reporting.

“I plan to accomplish the following: open up communication with the departments and work with them in a prompt and efficient manner,” Grone said.

Incumbent Republican Island County Auditor Sheilah Crider said the top two issues facing her office are addressing the staffing issue, which she feels she has done, and ensuring a smooth transition to new election recording equipment.

“We have the strongest team we’ve ever had,” Crider said.

Independent challenger Rebecca Wagner criticized Crider for her high level of turnover in recent years and her lack of accounting expertise.

“People need an engaged auditor and someone who works beside you,” said Wagner, a certified public accountant.

Crider said her office was trying to increase voter knowledge and engagement by installing more ballot boxes in places that are easy to access. In addition, Crider said she is working to integrate electronic media to engage younger voters.

Wagner suggested the county provide a printed voter pamphlet for those who can’t access the internet.

Legislative District 10 Position 2 incumbent Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano, said it’s going to take a lot of bipartisan cooperation for the legislature to find the money needed to fund public education.

Nick Petrish, Hayes’ Democratic challenger, said he supports closing loopholes and tax incentives so businesses help fund education. Petrish also said he supports the creation of a state bank, which he said would lower the cost of financial services and keep interest revenues in the state’s pocket.

Hayes said that closing tax loopholes and creating a state bank would not properly address the state’s budgeting needs.

Republican Rep. Norma Smith, District 10 Position 1, was given the same questions as the Position 2 candidates because her opponent Michael Scott was not in attendance.