PORT TOWNSEND — A candidate for the Jefferson County Commissioner District 1 position has withdrawn from the race, narrowing the contest to four candidates.
Landscaper Holly Postmus, 55, said she decided not to continue the campaign after she “pretty much bombed” at a Kiwanis Club candidate forum on Wednesday afternoon.
“I didn’t have any idea about what it takes to run for office,” she said.
“The other candidates were going in a totally different direction.”
Postmus said that it takes ”a lot more to be an effective leader than I was aware of” and characterized her candidacy as “an educational experience.”
She was scheduled to participate in the League of Women Voters forum Wednesday night, arriving just before it was to start and telling moderator Fred Obee of her plans to withdraw, who in turn announced it to the assembled audience.
Her name still appears on the primary election ballot alongside North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council manager Kate Dean, contractor Tim Thomas, 45; Jefferson County Planning Commission chair Cynthia Koan, 53; and contractor Jeff Gallant, 59.
Postmus had filed with no party preference. Gallant is running as a Republican while the others are Democrats.
Postmus said she had a preference for one of the other four candidates whom she declined to name.
The top two votegetters in the Aug. 2 primary will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
