Endorsements

To the Voters of Island County,

I am writing to endorse Maria Hazelo for Island County Clerk.
I served as Island County Clerk for 15 1/2 years and worked alongside Maria in the Island County Superior Court system for more than 14 years. In that time, I came to know her as a professional colleague, not as a campaign figure. That is the basis for this endorsement.
Maria has spent nearly two decades in county service. As Juvenile Court Services Office Manager, she has overseen daily operations, court records, filings, public access, case coordination, grants, payroll and purchasing. She has also served as a liaison between
Superior Court and the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts. It is the same kind of work the Clerk's Office must do every day: keep accurate records, protect confidential information and make sure the court records are accessible to the public.
I have found Maria to be dependable. When something needed to be done correctly, she did it. When the deadline mattered, she met it. In a court environment, that kind of reliability is not just courtesy, it is required. She is also a leader that the county people already know and respect. Maria has a calm professional presence. She treats staff, attorneys, judges and members of the public with courtesy. People come to the courthouse at some of the hardest moments of their lives. Customer service in this office is not about slogans. It is about being accurate, patient and clear. Maria already works that way.
If elected, she has said that she will focus on continuing to modernize record systems, reduce wait times, improve public access while safeguarding confidentiality, training staff well and keeping the office accountable. Those priorities match what the Clerk's Office must continue to offer.
Island County deserves a Clerk who already understands how our courts works and who has earned the respect of the people who work in them. Maria Hazelo has that experience and reputation.
I respectfully urge you to vote for Maria Hazelo for Island County Clerk.

Sincerly

Debra Van Pelt

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October 5, 2026