The contentious race for Oak Harbor mayor has become a battle of endorsements.

Shane Hoffmire, an Oak Harbor council member, said he may be the first candidate for the nonpartisan office to receive endorsements from both the Democratic and Republican parties in Island County.

His rival, business owner Ronnie Wright, has endorsements from the current Mayor Bob Severns, former mayor Jim Slowick as well as a long list of business people. He recently received the endorsements from the Realtors Political Action Committee and the Washington Teamsters Legislative Committee, which represents some employees in city public works.

Severns said he originally wasn’t going to make an endorsement for his replacement but changed his mind. He said Hoffmire just doesn’t have the experience necessary for the job while Wright has “extensive experience making decisions about people.”

Tim Hazelo, chairperson of the Island County Republican Party, said he’s been encouraging party members for years to offer endorsements in nonpartisan races. He said such endorsements will help voters have a greater understanding of the candidates and what they stand for, even when candidates don’t identify with parties.

Hazelo said the Republican endorsement decision was made at a meeting on Saturday. There was a good discussion and the voting was close, he said.

Wright said he’s been on the outs with some in the Island County Republican Party because of his support for Nicole Tesch for an Oak Harbor School Board seat. Tesch is being challenged by Jessica Thompson, a favorite among conservative party members.

Hazelo is also the chairperson of Our America First, a political action committee which also endorsed Hoffmire and other candidates in local nonpartisan races.

“I’ve known Hoffmire for 20 years,” Hazelo said. “He definitely is not the wacky lefty that some might think he is.”

Hazelo said he created a graphic for the Our America First endorsements online, and he might turn it into a mailer if he receives donations.

Jennifer Haase Morris, chairperson of the Island County Democrats, said the local party didn’t go through the full endorsement process this year since all the races are for nonpartisan positions. The process this year included reviewing candidate questionnaires and campaign information.

Hoffmire completed the questionnaire and was deemed a preferred candidate; Wright didn’t respond, according to the party’s website.