Voters will choose between Port Orchard City Councilmember Jay Rosapepe and first-time candidate Kimberly Shaw for the council’s At-Large seat in the Nov. 4 general election.

The seat is currently held by Councilmember John Morrisey, who is instead running unopposed for Rosapepe’s Position 2 seat. The At-Large position is a two-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Rosapepe has served on the Port Orchard City Council since 2018 and previously held a seat on the South Kitsap School District Board of Directors from 2007 to 2011. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Mount St. Mary’s College and a master’s degree in petroleum management from the University of Kansas. His community involvement includes serving on the boards of the South Kitsap Public Education Foundation and Kitsap Transit, as well as volunteering with South Kitsap Kiwanis, Rotary, Helpline, Food Lifeline and local school and business associations.

Shaw is a longtime community volunteer who has organized the South Kitsap Grad Parade since 2021 and co-founded the SK Hype Squad in 2022. She has served as president of the South Kitsap High School football boosters, a youth soccer coach, and a church worship and youth leader for more than two decades. Her volunteer work also includes Holiday on the Bay, South Kitsap schools and World Changers youth mission trips, and she has managed past City Council campaigns.

Both candidates were asked two questions to respond to.

What would be your top priorities if elected?

Rosapepe: My priorities are to ensure our residents have the infrastructure, public safety and parks needed to make the city livable, thriving, vibrant and welcoming. My focus is on making sure Port Orchard grows on solid ground so that all residents of our city share quality-of-life priorities now and for future generations.

Infrastructure – continued funding of sewer, streets, and utilities improvements to ensure that growth is met with the appropriate level of services. Without being focused on maintaining our physical infrastructure, we cannot meet the needs of our citizens today and in the future.

Public Safety and Police – public safety and policing are important to everyone within the city. This includes ensuring that we work with outside and non-profit agencies to be able to offer necessary services. The direction of the police chief to have continual training and accreditation is noteworthy.

Parks – parks are paramount, and I will continue to champion the eventual need for a parks department that will ultimately include Veterans Park. Current projects include the extension of the pedestrian pathway, community center plaza, and continued recreational improvement to our existing parks.

Communication – the council has made great strides in how we communicate with the public, such as live streaming council and committee meetings and on YouTube, social media updates, and continually updating our city’s website. You can never over-communicate, and I am proposing mailing a quarterly city newsletter to each household so people who aren’t tech savvy can stay informed.

Shaw: My top priorities would focus on realistic goals that can be accomplished with collaboration and accountability. I will work alongside fellow councilmembers to directly address the needs of Port Orchard residents and businesses.

First, I will push for dedicated budget line items to tackle long-overdue maintenance issues—broken curbing, overgrown ditches, faded striping, and neglected markings. A clean, safe, and well-kept city not only reflects pride but also supports business growth and community well-being.

Second, I will prioritize communication and accessibility. Recent councils have improved outreach, and I will build on that by making myself consistently available to listen to both businesses and residents. By actively sharing information about projects, events, and safety updates, I’ll ensure our community stays informed and engaged.

Finally, I believe strong policy and budgeting start with listening. You cannot set priorities effectively without hearing directly from the people who live and work here. Port Orchard needs councilmembers who are engaged every day they serve—not just during campaign season.

Port Orchard deserves a council that is responsive, accountable, and focused on real results—not just promises.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Rosapepe: I’ve been honored to be elected to three terms on the city council, always focusing on improving the quality of life through stronger infrastructure, public safety, and community policing. During this time, new parks have been funded and built, roadways repaired, and major projects completed — from the Tremont Gateway to the Marina pump station to McCormick and Rockwell parks. These improvements make Port Orchard a safer, more vibrant and welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

As an eight-year councilmember, I’ve worked with ten different colleagues to reach consensus on policies that guide our city’s growth. My fellow councilmembers have entrusted me to chair the Land Use and Utility Committees, and approved my second term on the Kitsap Transit Board of Directors. I’ve also been asked to serve on nonprofit boards because of my experience and commitment to community service. These roles reflect trust earned through performance and proven results.

Economist Steven Levitt famously said, “Don’t listen to what people say; watch what they do.”

Experience, trust, and results speak louder than words or social media postings. Together, we’ve made real progress — safer streets, new parks, and stronger infrastructure. With your support, I’ll continue building a Port Orchard that works for all of us — today and for future generations.

Shaw: The Port Orchard community deserves councilmembers who are engaged, communicative, and invested in the people they represent. My opponent will talk about “experience” and what the city is already doing—but not all experience is good experience. We need to look around and acknowledge what has been neglected.

He calls himself fiscally responsible, but what that really means is approving a finance director’s budget while passing extreme utility rate hikes and impact fees. Our water rates are a prime example, and his votes have made building a home increasingly out of reach. He was appointed to the Kitsap Transit Board by the mayor, where plans are moving forward to destroy the character of our waterfront with a transit center. These choices do not consider seniors on fixed incomes, young families, or struggling businesses.

Council cannot be reduced to “policy and budget.” A true councilmember must be a Swiss Army knife—able to listen, communicate, and act on community needs. We are living in 2025, not 1975. Community outreach matters. Listening matters. Common-sense policy matters.

I will bring balance: ensuring the city meets operating needs while also protecting what homeowners, families, and businesses can afford. I will prioritize our waterfront, our neighborhoods, and the voices of our residents. Port Orchard deserves better—and I will deliver that difference.