PORT TOWNSEND — A contest has shaped up in the Jefferson County sheriff race.
Democrat David Stanko, 66, of Port Townsend will face Ken Przygocki, 66, of Chimacum, who has no party preference, in this year’s race to succeed Tony Hernandez, who declined to run for a second term.
Also filing Tuesday was Thomas W. Greisamer, a Republican from Moclips in Grays Harbor County, to challenge Sequim Democrat Rep. Steve Tharinger in his bid for a third term representing the North Olympic Peninsula’s 24th Legislative District.
Sequim Democrat Kevin Van De Wege also filed for re-election earlier this week, although no challengers had emerged as of Wednesday.
Gig Harbor Republican Marty McClendon also Wednesday entered the race for the 6th District congressional seat held by Port Angeles native Derek Kilmer, who has filed for re-election to the district that includes the Peninsula.
W. “Greybeard” McPherson of Port Angeles, who stated no party preference but voted for the Green Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election, also filed to run against Kilmer, guaranteeing a primary for the position.
Candidate filing week continues through Friday.
If more than two candidates file for a position, they will vie in the Aug. 5 primary election, ballots for which will be mailed to registered voters July 16.
The top two vote-getters will compete in the Nov. 4 general election.
Stanko, who was selected the 2012 Business Leader of the Year by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, retired as a lieutenant at the Fullerton, Calif., police department in 2004 and moved to Cape George.
Hernandez ran for a full term in 2010 after he was selected to fill out the expired term of Sheriff Mike Brasfield, who resigned in 2009.
At the time, Stanko was one of the three candidates recommended by the Jefferson County Democratic Party for the position.
Stanko said Wednesday that he would not have challenged Hernandez for the office but decided to run when Hernandez withdrew from the race.
Stanko is past president of Port Townsend Rotary, a driver for Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization — known as ECCHO — as well as a member of the United Good Neighbors board of directors, a member of Calvary Church and a participant in the work of the Community Outreach Association Shelter Team, or COAST, at the Port Townsend homeless shelter.
He is married to Lynne Stanko. The two have two grown children and two grandchildren.
As of Wednesday afternoon, filings in partisan races included 10 Democrats and no Republicans, with three filing with no party preference.
So far, two of the incumbents in nine county races have no declared opposition: Assessor Jeff Chapman, 62, and Superior Clerk Ruth Gordon, 60. Both are Democrats.
The treasurer’s race has one filed candidate, Democrat Stacie Hoskins, and Republican Dena Jones, who has declared for the race but has not filed.
Two offices have drawn three candidates, guaranteeing a primary contest.
Three candidates filed for District 3 county commissioner: Kathleen Kler, 63, Democrat; Joe Baisch, 66, no party stated; and Dan Toepper, 52, no party stated.
For the Jefferson County Public Utility District, commissioner incumbent Ken McMillen, 81, faces challenges from Kenneth Collins, 67, and Tony DeLeo, 65, for the nonpartisan race.
Two candidates, both Democrats, are in the prosecuting attorney race.
Port Townsend attorney Michael Haas, 53, has challenged incumbent Scott Rosekrans, 64, who filed for a second term.
There is a two-candidate race for auditor, with Rose Ann Carroll, 63, running against Judy Maves-Klatt, 52, to succeed Donna Eldridge, who is retiring. Both Carroll and Maves-Klatt are Democrats.
Two candidates have filed for the county’s sole District Court judge position.
Incumbent Jill Landes is seeking a third term. Former Jefferson County Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Potebnya is challenging her.
The North Olympic Peninsula Primary Election Guide, prepared and published by the Peninsula Daily News, will appear in print and online July 18.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
