A veteran of local government faces a newcomer with big ideas in the race for Island County Auditor.

Republican Sheilah Crider, the incumbent for the position, is seeking her fourth term as auditor. An Oak Harbor resident, she was first appointed to the role in 2008, when her predecessor moved out of the state. Democrat Barbara Fuller, a Coupeville resident, is challenging Crider in this year’s general election.

In the primary election in August, Crider received about 54% of the county’s vote, compared to the nearly 46% that Fuller earned.

Having occupied the role for almost 15 years, Crider cited her extensive experience as what makes her a strong candidate for the position. Prior to being county auditor, she served a decade on the Oak Harbor City Council and 15 years on the Island County Planning Commission. She was a Realtor until becoming auditor, when she surrendered her license.

“We have many challenges before us and there is a lot of angst in the community about elections as a whole,” Crider said. “One of the things that is clear is that a steady hand at the wheel that has guided us through these past 15 years is one that should be with us here during this time and certainly in 2024.”

A former police officer, Fuller brings 22 years of risk management experience in government, private and nonprofit sectors. She is currently a part-time faculty member at a handful of community colleges in the area and a health, safety and environmental consultant. If elected, she is prepared to give up these roles in order to dedicate her time to the auditor position.

This is her first time running for an election of any kind.

“Politics over the last couple of years from my standpoint has been ugly, to say the least,” she said.

Both candidates acknowledged that election integrity is a top priority.

“My interpretation of the auditor is it’s sort of a unique position for the county in that it’s supposed to protect the county,” Fuller said, adding that records require special processes to make sure they’re secure.

“Our elections are strong. They are trustworthy. They are accurate and they are transparent,” Crider said. “We invite the public, media, candidates and anyone who wants to come and view our processes to do so. Our doors are open any time.”

If elected, Crider wants to focus on finding a methodology to address the misconceptions that have spread.

“The one thing that has become very evident in the last two years is the amount of misinformation and disinformation that is coming out, and the impact that that has on our public and the voters,” she said. “It puts tremendous fear in their minds and in their ability to trust the government.”

She also welcomes any new technology that would help save the county manpower and dollars.

Fuller pointed to the county’s response to a recent finding by the state Auditor’s Office as being concerning. In 2020, Island County filed duplicate claims for COVID relief fund grants. Corrective action, according to the state auditor’s report, included the use of a spreadsheet to track COVID expenditures, which Fuller said has the potential to “fail massively.”

“Honestly, you might as well put a Post-it note on the wall,” she said.

She proposed better and more secure information technology solutions, if elected. With a background in database management and process improvement, she feels her experience is suited to the role of auditor.

Crider, on the other hand, believes she has a leg up on the competition with her credentials as a certified elections administrator, which requires 1,000 hours of work during an election. Getting certified is a two-year process at its most expedient and something Crider said her opponent would not be able to receive in time for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Fuller

Crider