I have the unique perspective of having been a close advisor to both Lorna Smith and Heidi Eisenhour. While I initially thought both women could be good choices for Jefferson County, I have been proven wrong and come to regret my early participation in Lorna’s campaign.

I have observed Heidi to be energetic, friendly, honest, positive and solution-oriented. I have known her to be open-minded while hunting for additional information and receiving feedback before making decisions. I have known her style and attitude to be approachable, collaborative and team-oriented. I have known her character to be focused on our community.

Working with her team was uplifting and inspirational and made me feel good about the future of the county if it is in her hands.

I cannot say those things about Lorna, and her assertion that prior county government employment is the only relevant qualifier for seeking the office of a county commissioner is absurd. Most of the commissioners over the past few decades had no previous county government experience yet they successfully represented our citizens. 

What is the relevance of Lorna’s experience in a huge I-5 corridor county with a massive budget, enormous population, diverse tax base and which is ranked No. 1 in the state in GMA appeals? 

Does she really grasp our community after living here for eight years or does she think she can unilaterally fix us by virtue of being the product of a bureaucracy?

Does Jefferson County need an autocratic activist whose character and style have been revealed under pressure? 

Character is how you do things as well as what you do. How you get things done matters as much as what you get done. Leaders serve, activists promote an agenda.

I invite you to join me in supporting Heidi Eisenhour with our votes.

Jean Ball
QUILCENE