It’s been more than two decades since we’ve had the chance to elect a new sheriff.

Detective Brent Johnson and Deputy Rob Nou are both qualified candidates seeking the position.

Nou outpolled Johnson by 881 votes in the Aug. 17 primary – an accomplishment, considering he moved here two years ago and lives on less-populated Lopez Island; Johnson moved here eight years ago and lives on more-populated San Juan Island. But it’s still a wide open race; both are competing for the 3,205 votes cast for the other three candidates.

Whoever holds the position of sheriff shapes how law and justice and emergency services are carried out in our county. It’s critical that you know your candidate.

So the Sounder, Journal, and Islands’ Weekly are giving you a chance to learn more about these two men and grill them on the issues.

The Journal hosted a candidate forum on Sept. 28. The Islands’ Sounder is hosting a forum on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at noon in the Eastsound Fire Station. On Lopez, Nou and Johnson will answer questions starting at 5 p.m. at the Port Stanley Schoolhouse.

The format is simple to allow for as much interaction as possible between residents and the candidates. After a five-minute introduction by the moderator, each candidate will make a five-minute opening statement. Then the forum will be open to questions from the audience. Each candidate will get one minute to respond. At the conclusion, each candidate will make a five-minute closing statement.

We hope you make it to the forum, with plenty of questions for Rob and Brent.