PORT TOWNSEND — A candidate for the Jefferson County Commissioner District 1 position has withdrawn from the race, narrowing the primary election contest to four candidates.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 Wednesday.
“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 was one of five people seeking to fill the seat vacated by Phil Johnson, who decided against running for re-election.
Her name still appears on the primary election ballot, along with Kate Dean, 41, North Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council manager; contractor Tim Thomas, 45; Jefferson County Planning Commission chair Cynthia Koan, 53; and contractor Jeff Gallant, 59.
Gallant is running as a Republican, while the others are Democrats.
Takes a lot
Postmus, who filed with no party preference, said it takes ”a lot more to be an effective leader than I was aware of.”
She characterized her candidacy as an educational experience.
Scheduled to participate in the Jefferson County League of Women Voters forum Wednesday night, she arrived just before it was to start and told moderator Fred Obee she planned to withdraw.
He announced that to the assembled audience.
Postmus said she had a preference for one of the other four candidates, whom she declined to name.
Primary ballots were mailed to registered voters July 13 and are due Aug. 2.
The top two vote-getters will advance to Nov. 8 general election, regardless of party affiliation.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
