Kitsap County Republican Party chairman Chris Tibbs said his comments about the District 35 Democratic state senator was not an endorsement by him or the Republican Party.

The comments were made concerning incumbent Sen. Tim Sheldon, who is being challenged by Democrat Irene Bowling and Republican Travis Couture.

In the May 23 issue of the Independent, Tibbs was quoted as saying, “Voters in the 35th District consistently vote for Sheldon and have acknowledged he is a Democrat and the right representative for the people of the 35th District.”

Tibbs said the Kitsap County Republican Party is working on getting their candidate elected.

“Regardless of Sheldon’s popularity with county Republicans, our county party is committed to electing our Republican candidate — Travis Couture,” said Tibbs.

Sheldon will face Bowling and Couture in the Aug. 5 primary and the top two vote-getters will face each othe in the Nov. 4 general election.