BREMERTON — Axel Strakeljahn is running for re-election as Port of Bremerton commissioner.
Strakeljahn made his announcement March 30 at a campaign kickoff event attended by friends, supporters and a number of community leaders.
“Bringing jobs to our community is our first and foremost responsibility at the port,” Strakeljahn said. “We’re operating at an all-time high level of efficiency while keeping overhead low.”
Strakeljahn was elected as a port commissioner in 2011 and is seeking a second six-year term this November. Port commissioners receive $12,000 a year. The port district includes Port Orchard; the port owns Bremerton National Airport, Olympic View Industrial Park, Bremerton Marina, Port Orchard Marina, Port Orchard Marina Park, Harper Pier, Annapolis Pier, Evergreen Boat Ramp, Chico Boat Ramp, and Water Street Boat Launch.
“Our Bremerton Marina tenancy is now nearly 90 percent,” he said, “and we were successful in retaining Safe Boats, a key tenant which provides 300 jobs. Our industrial park is fully leased and we’re looking to expand to support additional business and job growth.”
Strakeljahn told the audience at the event that he and fellow commissioners, along with port staff members, met recently with state legislators in Olympia to request funding for improvements at the Port Orchard Marina. Strakeljahn said the meeting resulted in the inclusion of more than $1 million in the Legislature’s capital budget to support the work.
Strakeljahn, a Seabeck resident and director of a Fred Meyer store, has worked and resided in Kitsap County for more than 30 years, according to his campaign announcement.
Strakeljahn has been endorsed by the Kitsap Association of Realtors, Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent and current port commissioners.
Primary Aug. 1, general election Nov. 7
Strakeljahn is getting a head start on the campaign. The candidate filing period begins May 1. The primary election is Aug. 1; the two top vote-getters, regardless of political party affiliation, will advance to the Nov. 7 general election.
Countywide, 75 positions in 35 jurisdictions — cities, school districts, fire districts, port districts, sewer districts, utility districts, water districts and park districts — will be on the ballot this year.
