The current North End County Commissioner has decided to seek reelection this November.

Chris Endresen, a Democrat, announced this week she will campaign for a third term in the 2004 election. She has been working in the position since 1997.

Endresen said she wants to retain the job because she wants to continue working for the citizens and making Kitsap “a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire and most of all — a county we will be proud to pass on to future generations,” she said in a March 29 announcement.

Kingston resident Scott Henden and Suquamish resident Matthew Cleverley also recently announced their candidacies for the seat.

Endresen’s platform includes working with business and community leaders to provide family wage jobs, addressing the transportation needs of the county, keeping lines of communication open with city, state, tribal and federal representatives and preserving green spaces with parks and recreation facilities.

“Kitsap County is a special place because of its diversity and natural beauty,” Endresen said. “That’s why I’ve worked so hard to help local communities preserve open space, parks, trails and ball fields.”

During her time in office, Endresen has worked with Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council to create financial tools for small and large business owners as well as to develop a more efficient permitting system for the county that has been shared with Kitsap’s four cities.

She has also supported partnering with local, state and federal agencies and private enterprises to work on transportation issues as well as recent passenger-only ferry efforts.

“I am hopeful that the new public/private partnership with passenger ferry service may soon be a model for other communities who face similar challenges,” Endresen said.

Prior to serving as commissioner, Endresen was a business owner for 13 years and worked in the private sector for 20 years. She was also a Poulsbo City Council member for eight years and served on the boards of Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the Kitsap County Land Trust. She is currently a member of the Poulsbo/North Kitsap Rotary.

Endresen lives in Poulsbo with her husband Rick and their children.