County, state and federal candidates begin official filing today for offices in the fall elections that range from party precinct committee officer to U.S. senator.
County-level candidates must pay filing fees equal to 1 percent of what their positions pay, except for precinct officers, who must pay $1, and contenders for the Clallam County Charter Review Commission, who file for free.
At the state level, incumbent 24th District Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, is opposed by Kevin Van De Wege, a Sequim Democrat.
No one has announced a run against Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam.
The 24th District includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
As for federal offices, no candidate has announced against veteran U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, whose 6th Congressional District includes Clallam and Jefferson Counties.
Republican Mike McGavick of Seattle is running against Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace.
In any of the races, it is possible that other candidates will file this week — the deadline is 4:30 p.m. Friday — to challenge those who have announced earlier.
Clallam incumbents
In Clallam County, three incumbents have declared their candidacies: District 3 County Commissioner Mike Doherty, D-Port Angeles, Director of Community Development Rob Robertsen, and Sheriff Joe Martin.
Only Martin had a declared opponent on the eve of the week for filings: Clallam County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Benedict.
Clallam County Democratic Party Chairman John Miller has indicated that he’ll run against Robertsen.
Two Clallam County incumbents — Treasurer Judith Scott and Assessor Pamela Rushton — have held their offices less than a year. They were chosen in special elections last November, Scott after Ruth Gordon retired and Rushton after Linda Owings-Rosenburgh died.
Jefferson candidates
In Jefferson County, declared candidates include Rebekah Ross and Jill Landes, who have announced they’ll run for the District Court bench being vacated by Mark Huth.
Three people already are running in primaries for the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat: Democrat John Austin of Port Ludlow, and Ian McFall of Brinnon and Bob Pontius of Port Ludlow, both Republicans.
The position is being vacated by Pat Rodgers, a Republican from Brinnon.
In Clallam County, all races are nonpartisan, except for county commissioner and prosecuting attorney.
In Jefferson County, all races are partisan, except for District Court judge and public utility district commissioner.
In Clallam County, candidates must file for office this week at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
In Jefferson County, they must file at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
The offices, filing fees and incumbents for both counties include:
Clallam County
* Assessor: $559. The incumbent is Pamela Rushton.
* Auditor: $617. The incumbent is Cathleen McKeown.
* Community development director: $587. The incumbent is Rob Robertsen.
* Prosecuting attorney (partisan): $916. The incumbent is Deborah Kelly, a Republican.
* Sheriff: $715. The incumbent is Joe Martin.
* Treasurer: $573. The incumbent is Judith Scott.
* Commissioner, District 3 (partisan): $586. The incumbent is Mike Doherty, a Democrat.
* Judge, District Court 1: $1,220. The incumbent is Rick Porter.
* Judge, District Court 2: $732. The incumbent is Erik Rohrer.
* Clallam PUD commissioner, District 3: $156. The incumbent is Ted Simpson.
In addition, five citizens will be elected from each of the three county commissioner districts to form a Charter Review Commission.
The commission will review Clallam County’s home-rule charter and recommend changes to place on the Nov. 7 ballot.
For updates on filings, visit the county Web site, www.clallam.net. Click on “Candidate filings.”
Jefferson County
* Assessor: $636.19. The incumbent is Jack Westerman, a Democrat.
* Auditor: $636.19. The incumbent is Donna M. Eldridge, a Republican.
* Clerk: $524.93. The incumbent is Ruthann Gordon, a Democrat.
* County commissioner, District 3: $580.32. Pat Rodgers, a Republican, is not seeking re-election.
* Prosecuting attorney: $917.69. The incumbent is Juelie Dalzell, a Democrat.
* Sheriff: $673.85. The incumbent is Mike Brasfield, a Democrat.
* Treasurer: $636.19. The incumbent is Judy Morris, a Republican.
* Jefferson County PUD No. 1 commissioner, District 2: $48. The incumbent is Kelly Hays of Marrowstone Island.
* PUD No. 1 commissioner, District 3: $48. The incumbent is Wayne King of Gardiner.
* District Court judge: $1,220.12. Mark Huth is not seeking re-election.
Further information is at www.co.jefferson.wa.us/auditor/Elections/Elections.asp.
Although candidates in both counties must file their candidacies with their respective county auditor, they no longer need report campaign contributions and spending at the county level. These must be filed with the Public Disclosure Commission in Olympia.
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Reporter Jim Casey can be reached at 360-417-3538 or at jim.casey@peninsuladailynews.com.
