After a long past accessing health care, in places more remote than Vashon, and varied experience serving on local government boards and advisory committees, I filed as a candidate for hospital district commissioner. Foremost in my mind were problems when no candidate filed for a position.

Eric Pryne and I filed electronically within minutes of each other. Let’s just pass over my personal reasons for not wanting to be in a contest. The rules for this particular election do not allow for withdrawal. I am not seeking the position. I apologize for any confusion.

I endorse Eric and all the other candidates. All of them would serve well. Your votes for the seated commissioner in each position will determine which positions start with two-year, four-year or full terms.

The proposed hospital district no. 5 has my enthusiastic support. I will continue campaigning and publicly asking revealing questions of the candidates. You and the commissioners can count on my enthusiastic support for every positive choice and full-throated criticism of every unfortunate turn. I trust you to use my published contact respectfully. Please vote for the hospital district, proposition 1. It is the voice of Vashon people for health care.

— William Swartz