Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson said she is endorsing candidate Rick Hannold in a letter to the Whidbey News-Times Tuesday.

Johnson and Hannold are Republicans. Han-nold’s challenger, Karla Jacks, is a Democrat.

“Like you, I take voting very seriously,” Johnson said. “And despite my party affiliation, I rarely vote a party-line ballot.

“When I chose who to vote for, a person’s character and motivation for serving trumps all.”

Johnson said both Hannold and Jacks are “two good options in the race for District 3 Commissioner.”

However, Johnson said, “I am thoughtfully and enthusiastically voting for Rick Hannold.”

Johnson said Hannold shares her conservative values, which include maintaining law and justice funding as a top priority, and that a “limited, focused, priority-based government” is in the county’s best interest.

Johnson said she and Hannold also agree that Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is a vital part of the community, not to be treated as “an unwelcome or unwanted guest.”

“Rick Hannold will bring a fresh and needed perspective to the board of commissioners. His style is refreshing, agenda-free and needed.”

As a private contractor and a retired Navy chief, Johnson said she believes Hannold brings the experience and leadership abilities needed to run the county.

“Rick Hannold puts the greater good before himself, and that is testament to who he is and what he values,” Johnson said.

“It’s that level of selfless leadership that I look for in any candidate when I am deciding where to invest my vote.”

Hannold said Tuesday that he is grateful for the endorsement and that he and Johnson agree on many key issues.

“I think I would be able to work well with Jill because we share a lot of the same ideals,” he said.

Johnson could be reached for comment before press time.