For the upcoming Nov. 4 general election, voters in District 7 will choose between teacher Matthew Baptiste-Cerra and current Planning Commissioner Rick Tift for a seat on the Bremerton City Council, a four-year term that begins Jan. 1, 2026.

Longtime incumbent Eric Younger is not seeking re-election.

Tift is the former executive director of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and serves as vice chair of the Bremerton Planning Commission. He is also a graduate and past president of Leadership Kitsap and sits on the University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Board.

A Central Kitsap High School graduate, Tift went on to study at Olympic College before earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington and a master’s in business administration from the University of Puget Sound.

His community service includes past board membership at St. Michael Medical Center and membership in the Bremerton Rotary Club. He is currently a member of Olympic College’s Health Sciences Expansion Steering Committee.

Baptiste-Cerra has worked in addiction treatment, higher education advising and training, and classroom teaching. He served as an addictions treatment counselor from 2006 to 2008, a healthcare and nursing academic advisor from 2008 to 2010, and a learning and development systems specialist from 2011 to 2016. He is now a teacher in the Clover Park School District.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Michigan State University in 2006. He later completed two master’s degrees: one in education with a focus on adult education, training and process improvement in 2009, and another in curriculum and instruction in 2010.

His community service includes organizing an annual Christmas toy and supply drive for the Child Crisis Center, volunteering with Kitsap Live Steamers, and serving as a YMCA and club swim official.

Both candidates were asked two questions to respond to.

What would be your top priorities if elected?

Tift: If elected, my top priorities will focus on ensuring Bremerton remains a safe, vibrant, and sustainable community. These include:

Public safety and strong neighborhoods: Prioritize public safety and support initiatives that strengthen our neighborhoods. A safe community is the foundation of a thriving city, and I will encourage resident involvement in making our neighborhoods safer and more connected.

Managing growth while preserving quality of life: Bremerton continues to grow, and it’s vital that we manage that growth responsibly. I will work to ensure that development supports our community’s character, maintains livability, and is supported by infrastructure.

Addressing the budget shortfall: Our city faces a significant budget deficit. I am committed to navigating this challenge through careful planning, strategic spending, and fiscal responsibility—without increasing the tax burden on residents.

Homelessness and housing solutions: The increase in our unhoused population is a serious concern. While there are no easy answers, I believe the city must take a more proactive approach. I will work collaboratively with the mayor, service providers, and community partners to develop and implement a clear, compassionate, and effective strategy.

Partnership with the Navy and shipyard modernization: As the Navy upgrades and modernizes the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen our city’s future. I am committed to collaborating closely with the Navy to ensure Bremerton benefits from this transformation in terms of jobs, infrastructure, and community development.

Baptiste-Cerra: I would focus on the development of programs and projects to address quality of life for our residents. I want to get policies written and in place to address the significant number of vacancies that make our downtown less attractive for events and activities. Whatever the issues are, these abandoned buildings and lots should be incentivized towards redevelopment. That may mean setting higher standards of care for the owners of these properties, or developing grants (I call them MMIR grants – Minimum Move In Ready) to assist new businesses to get into these vacant spaces. I believe city policy and permitting should make it easier to fill those vacant spaces.

I also want to work to develop our parks and trails, helping our community get around safely within the city. Much of the city lacks basic sidewalks or protected active transportation paths. This lack of connected paths makes our city less accessible to families, commuters, or just those who want to enjoy our natural areas. Connecting parks to people and improving those parks so our community can enjoy them together would be a great source of pride for our city and open up more opportunities.

Lastly, I would work to make Bremerton a greater tourist draw and gateway from Seattle. I believe with the right projects and partnerships, the city could increase our local pride and provide an incentive for the state to once again put Bremerton on the tourism advertising we used to enjoy.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Tift: I bring a lifetime of experience, commitment, and leadership to this role.

I was raised in Bremerton and attended local schools, including Olympic College. I earned degrees from the University of Washington and an MBA from the University of Puget Sound.

I retired after 45 years at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, including 19 years as executive director. My career was built on collaboration, leadership, and navigating complex issues—skills that directly translate to effective service on the City Council.

Since 2014, I have served as a Bremerton Planning Commissioner, gaining deep insight into the city’s growth and development challenges and working closely with community stakeholders and city leaders.

Over the past two decades, I have worked with multiple mayors and councils, building relationships and experiences that uniquely position me to contribute from day one.

Now that I am retired, I have the time, energy, and passion to give back to the community that has given me so much. I’m ready to serve the residents of District 7 with dedication, transparency, and a deep love for our city.

Baptiste-Cerra: I am part of a young family building a life here in Bremerton with my wife and teenage daughter. The concerns we have are similar to those of many other families in our community, and the improvements we want for our city are the same. We want a safe, vibrant city with events and concerts and new eclectic restaurants opening in the unique spaces and locations our city provides. My goal and focus if elected to council will be to help create a city that people want to raise families in, and find that the improvements the city makes help make their lives a little bit nicer than other places they could choose to live.

In my conversations with voters in our community, they want to feel more pride in the city they live in. They want to understand what is being done to help them make their lives what they want it to be. They want to be able to safely move around and open businesses and enjoy the city they choose to live in. As their council representative, I will fight for those improvements. I will work to make sure the city is accessible to everyone who chooses to live here, that it is safe, and that they can make Bremerton the place that makes hopes and dreams possible.