Paul Andrews will be hosting a kick-off event for his campaign for Kitsap County assessor this week.

The official launch is 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 at Hale’s Alehouse in Silverdale and the public is welcome.

Andrews, 46, is a longtime Kitsap County employee and lives in Port Orchard. He registered as a candidate with the state Public Disclosure Commission on Feb. 3.

Andrews is running as a Democrat, and two others are also in the race.

William Sean Smith registered as a Republican candidate in the race March 7. Smith, 50, also calls Port Orchard home.

Garry Sobeck, 62, a Bainbridge Island Democrat, registered as a candidate on March 24.

Andrews has received early endorsements from community leaders and elected officials including County Commissioner Rob Gelder, County Auditor Walt Washington, State Representatives Sherry Appleton and Larry Seaquist, and former Kitsap Assessor Carol (Belas) Baarsma.

“Paul has the perfect skill set to take the office to the next level on behalf of all Kitsap taxpayers and is ready to become our next assessor,” Gelder said.

Andrews noted that he has served every department in Kitsap County and has also worked with cities across Kitsap, as well as the state and the Suquamish Tribe. Andrews said he has a broad understanding of their unique needs and works to help find solutions to often complex problems related to real property.

If elected, he vows to provide ongoing outreach to seniors and disabled taxpayers to make them aware of exemptions they may be able to attain and promote other exemptions that are available.

Andrews also promised to implement a county-wide Comprehensive Valuations Standards Program for both residential and commercial properties to provide transparency for taxpayers.

“I am committed to initiating the three C’s — ensuring the public understands the process of property valuation and feels confident, comfortable and connected with the results and the service the assessor’s office provides,” Andrews said.