PORT TOWNSEND — A former Jefferson County sheriff’s candidate who was defeated in the Aug. 5 primary has urged his supporters not to write in his name on ballots for the election ending Nov. 4.
“It has come to my attention that numerous folks are planning to write my name in for sheriff,” Ken Przygocki said in a Facebook post Monday.
“Though I am humbly honored by this support, I strongly urge everyone not to do so.”
Ballots were mailed to voters Wednesday.
Przygocki came in third in a primary race, falling behind David Stanko, 66, and Wendy Davis, 47, both of whom are running as Democrats.
Przygocki endorsed Stanko three days after losing the primary.
In his post, Przygocki said a write-in would split the vote between himself and Stanko and throw the election to Davis.
“Because of my interest and respect for the members of our Sheriff’s Department and for our community, I urge everyone to join me in voting for Dave Stanko,” Przygocki wrote.
“Dave is now the only candidate that meets the requirements and is capable of leading the department.”
Przygocki and Stanko did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
“I give the voters in Jefferson County more credit than perhaps Mr. Przygocki does,” Davis said in an email.
“They are smart people who know what qualifications their next sheriff should have.
“Electing a candidate who has not been retired for over ten years, has current Washington State law enforcement experience and has the vision to lead our sheriff’s office is more than likely what they are looking for in their next sheriff.”
Besides posting the message on Facebook, Przygocki sent the message as an email to supporters.
He went on to endorse Jill Landes, 64, over Cheryl Potebnya, 62, in the nonpartisan District Court judge race and Dan Toepper, 54, over Kathleen Kler, 64, for District 3 county commissioner.
Toepper has no party affiliation, while Kler is running as a Democrat.
Przygocki ran as an independent with no party affiliation.
“Dan Toepper is not a political puppet,” Przygocki wrote.
“Dan is the only authentic local candidate for County Commissioner as he was born here and has raised his family here.
“Dan has personally experienced the problems the county has faced, he does his homework on issues, he understands the local economy, he listens to the communities’ concerns and he will represent everyone.”
Toepper said he has “no problem” receiving Przygocki’s support but stressed that he did not necessarily support the other endorsed candidates.
Kler, who had received a copy of the letter, found fault in Przygocki’s logic, saying that being born and raised in Jefferson County should not be a deciding point for voters.
“I bring a different level of focus to the race, and I understand the needs and the concerns of the county,” she said.
“This has nothing to do with how long I’ve lived in Jefferson County.”
Przygocki made no recommendations for the other contested races between Prosecuting Attorney Scott Rosekrans, 62, and challenger Michael Haas, 53; and Judy Maves-Klatt, 52, and Rose Ann Carroll, 64, for auditor.
Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said that managing write-in votes causes her office extra work but did not necessarily discourage people from voting in this way.
“Your vote is your voice, so you should use it as you see fit,” she said.
“But it would be best if you vote for someone who has a chance of serving and is a registered voter in Jefferson County.”
Eldridge said many ballots contain fictitious characters or obscenities as write-in choices, of which her office must keep track.
Names listed on write-in ballots in 2012 included Bozo the Clown, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
Eldridge said a write-in candidate can register as such by filling out a form and paying the filing fee as late as when the ballots are mailed.
According to his message, Przygocki had no intention to do this.
If Przygocki had any ballot that was connected to his name, it would be counted in his favor even if it was not spelled properly, Eldridge said.
Przygocki’s name is pronounced “shuh-GUSS-key,” which would likely result in many different spellings on write-in ballots.
The Auditor’s Office mailed out 22,258 ballots for the general election, which are due at the Jefferson County Courthouse by 8 p.m. Nov. 4.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
