Jefferson County unit-at-large 2026 leadership team is, from left to right, Jackie Aase, Linda Boxleitner, Ann Weston, Deborah Pedersen, and Gwen Demombynes.
A new year is often a time for change and change was the order of the day the last day of last month in the Jefferson County League, a unit-at-large.
The approximately 40-member unit elected a new leadership team—three co-chairs assisted by a treasurer and secretary. A new communications lead, Leslie Linkkila, who also happens to be new to the League, also stepped up.
Leading the Jefferson County unit are Jackie Aase, active in Jefferson County for more than 20 years; Gwen Demombynes, who moved to Jefferson County just before the Covid-19 pandemic; and Ann Weston, who joined in 2022.
All three have been active in the unit’s high school essay contest, said Weston, who joined the League after serving as an elections observer and learning about the League from longtime Clallam County member Linda Benson.
The three replaced Angela Gyurko, who had led the unit for a number of years and now serves on the state board of directors.
Noting the relatively small number of members, the Jefferson County group believed their work could best be accomplished with the creative leadership structure of three co-chairs, Weston explained.
Serving as treasurer is Deborah Pedersen and secretary is Linda Boxleitner.
Jefferson County, named for the nation’s third president, is home to 32,977 people, according the 2020 U.S. Census. The county’s sole incorporated city is Port Townsend, which once served as the state capital.
Port Townsend is a maritime center and, with its collection of buildings dating back to the 1880s, is also a tourism destination.
