Jeff Randall, who has been an advocate for schools and renewable energy, announced March 31 his intention to seek the District 1 position on the Jefferson County Public Utility District board.

“I’m running because I realize the importance of public utility policies in the well-being of our county and our economy,” Randall said in a press release March 31.

A 19-year Jefferson County resident and a native of Washington, Randall lives in Port Townsend with his wife, Shelly, and 7-year-old-son, Soren. He moved to the community in 1997 to take a job with the City of Port Townsend planning department and rose to become the Building and Community Development director.

Randall, 49, is a licensed attorney with a law degree from the University of Washington. He worked as a city and county land-use planner before following his passion by joining the renewable energy industry at the end of 2006, according to a press release.

For the past nine years he has been employed as a solar power system designer for Power Trip Energy, a photovoltaics (PV) installation company. If elected, Randall said he would continue working part-time for Power Trip Energy.

The District 1 seat is held by Barney Burke of Port Townsend. A KPTZ radio host, Burke told the Leader he would not make a decision before filing week, May 16-23, because Federal Communication Commission rules prohibit candidates from being on the air.

The six-year PUD position pays an annual salary of $27,420.

In 2013, Randall helped to organize Friends of Public Power, a group that supports the concept of public power and want the PUD to be successful, according to a press release. Randall and other members of this group have regularly attended PUD meetings over the past three years. The group helped recruit Ken Collins, elected in 2014 as District 3 PUD commissioner.

“My goals as a PUD commissioner are to get the PUD into a positive financial situation; to provide excellent and fair customer service; to promote energy conservation programs; and to boost locally generated renewable energy,” Randall said.

“I would like the PUD to be more forward looking. The energy industry is rapidly changing and we can’t resist that change, we need to be a part of it. I would also like to see the PUD use its authority in the area of internet communications to help improve that service to underserved parts of our county.”

Randall is involved in the community, most recently as volunteer campaign manager for two successful bond measures in Port Townsend.

He and his wife were nominated for Jefferson County Citizen of the Year for their volunteerism in co-chairing the campaign for the City of Port Townsend Mountain View Improvement bond in 2015.

Randall also volunteered to manage the successful 2016 campaign for the Port Townsend School District’s $40.9 million bond.

Randall said he would bring that level of community engagement and vision to the PUD.

Randall plans to run an energetic campaign with significant public outreach, door belling, and events. Learn more at

Jeff4PUD.org or email

Jeff4PUD@gmail.com.