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Josh Brown, who boasts that his primary area of study at the University of California Berkley was city and regional planning policy, has formally declared his candidacy for District 3 Kitsap County Commissione. He will run as a Democrat.
Republican Patty Lent, who is running for re-election, currently holds the position. Before facing Brown, Lent will have to face off in a primary battle with conservative Jack Hamilton.
“I have long been committed to public service,” stated Brown in a press release. “I am running for Commissioner because I care deeply for our community and our quality of life —- this is why I am leading a grass roots campaign to reinvigorate local politics.” Brown went on to state, “Special interests have polarized local politics. I will bring fresh ideas and open discussions to the table. Backroom deals must end.”
He did however, fail to state what, if any, specific backroom deals he was referring to.
Brown claims to have been active in politics, including working on Senator Maria Cantwell’s 2000 campaign. He is a licensed real estate broker, and says that while working in the commercial real estate industry he specialized in representing companies in office leasing negotiations. Working closely with business executives, Brown believes has given him an insight into how companies make real estate decisions.
In the press release announcing his candidacy, Brown states, “I have advised and consulted with CEO’s and CFO’s. I understand their needs and priorities when choosing a city or county in which to do business. We need to aggressively pitch Kitsap County to the business community. I will lead this effort as County Commissioner.”
Prior to his work in commercial real estate, Brown touts experience as a management consultant for companies including E*Trade, Great America, PG&E, and Mervyn’s.
However, speaking to the 26th District Democrats on Feb. 7, Brown was singing from a much different sheet of music, seemingly equating business as the adversary of Democratic politics. He came out strongly against the NASCAR project, disparaged the work of the Kitsap Economic Development Council, and stated the county must have even stronger local environmental regulations than the recently passed Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).
It was Lent voting along with Democrat Christ Endresen, in favor of passing the highly controversial CAO that tipped the scales on Hamilton’s candidacy.
Brown, the son of a PSNS pipefitter, is a graduate of North Kitsap High School. He attended the University of California, Berkeley.
The press release failed to note if Brown actually graduated from Berkley, or what his current line of work is. | 
