SEQUIM — The Clallam County League of Women Voters will sponsor its first candidate forum for the Nov. 4 general election from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17.
The Shipley Center, 921 Hammond St. in Sequim, will host a debate between incumbent Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim, and Thomas Greisamer, a Republican from Moclips, who are vying to represent the 24th Legislative District, which covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County.
Also, all Charter Review Commission candidates from District 1 have been invited to introduce themselves.
Fliers will be distributed explaining what the Charter Review Commission does and attendees will have the opportunity to speak individually with candidates present.
Charter Review Commission candidates for Districts 2 and 3 will be invited to attend events in September and October that have not been scheduled yet.
Tharinger, 65, and Greisamer, 73, were the front-runners in the 24th District Position 2 race in Tuesday’s primary election, which narrowed the field to the two candidates who receive the most votes.
Tharinger is seeking a third two-year term.
Greisamer, a retired general and forensic psychiatrist who last worked for the state Department of Corrections, has never before held nor sought elective office.
The 24th District Position 1 incumbent, Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, is unopposed.
Charter commission
In the general election, five charter review commissioners will be elected from each of the three county commissioner districts.
Those 15 people will review the county’s charter, which is its “constitution.”
They will serve for one year in the unpaid positions to review the charter, propose amendments or review public initiatives for amendments.
Clallam County is one of six counties in the state that operate under a home-rule charter, unlike most Washington counties where procedures are dictated by the Legislature.
Clallam County’s charter, adopted by voters in 1976, allows it to change requirements for county operations beyond those required by the state. Any changes, however, must comply with state law.
Thirteen candidates have filed for District 1, which extends from the eastern county line to Boyce Road in Carlsborg.
In District 2 — the area between Boyce Road and Valley Creek in Port Angeles — 17 have filed.
District 3, which covers the West End beginning at Valley Creek in Port Angeles, has 11 candidates.
Other forums
The league will announce other general election forums by Sept. 1, representatives said.
Other November contests will include races for the county director of community development, Clallam County District Court 1 judge, state Supreme Court justice Position 7 and state initiatives.
