PORT TOWNSEND — As the weeklong candidate filing period for the Aug. 7 primary and the Nov. 6 general election begins today, five people have announced intentions to run for four positions.
One race has shaped up.
Candidates for public office in Jefferson County can file for their positions Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the auditor’s office in the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Washington St., Port Townsend.
The lot draw to determine ballot position will take place at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the auditor’s office.
There are four county positions on the ballot: Superior Court judge, Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner and two county commissioner slots.
Additionally 78 precinct committee officer positions will be open for filing.
As of Friday, incumbent county commissioners David Sullivan, 60, and Phil Johnson, 66, both had announced their intentions to seek another term. They are both Democrats.
Former Port Townsend Mayor Geoff Masci, 64 — a Republican — has said he will challenge Johnson.
Johnson’s District 1 includes Port Townsend, while Sullivan’s District 2 includes Cape George, Port Hadlock and Marrowstone Island.
District 3 Commissioner John Austin, who is not up for re-election this year, represents Port Ludlow, along with southern and western portions of the county.
Incumbent Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser, 62, has said he will not seek a third term, and has endorsed Port Townsend attorney Keith Harper, 58.
Verser — who began treatment for pancreatic cancer in July and returned to the bench earlier this year — said he “wasn’t getting the assurances from my doctors” that he needed.
Harper, a court commissioner, would make a very good judge, according to Verser, who contacted Harper to ascertain his interest.
Incumbent PUD commissioner Wayne King has announced his intention to run for another six-year term.
King, 71, of Gardiner has represented the southern part of Jefferson and County on the PUD board since 2000.
He said he wants a third term representing District 3 — which includes the south end of Discovery Bay, Quilcene, Brinnon and the west side of the county — so he can see the electrical power transition process to its conclusion.
The PUD received voter approval in 2008 to provide electrical power, and has worked on the switch from Puget Sound Energy since then.
No challenger has spoken up.
Election law treats each position differently.
In the county commissioner races, all names will appear on the Aug. 7 primary, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the Nov. 6 general election.
If only two candidates file for a position, then the primary results are non-binding.
In the judge’s race, a candidate who gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary will win the seat.
If there are more than two candidates and one does not get 50 percent plus one vote, then the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election.
The PUD contest will appear on the primary ballot only if more than two candidates file for a position.
In all cases, if there is only one candidate filing for a position he or she will be elected by acclamation.
All three District 24 incumbents — Sen. Jim Hargrove, D- Hoquiam, and Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, both Sequim Democrats — have announced intention to run for reelection for the legislative seats that represent Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
The Senate seat is a four-year term, while the House of Representatives seats are two-year terms.
No challengers have come to the fore, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
On the ballot, 24 offices are open, including the office of president of the United States.
Republican State Sen. Michael Baumgartner of Spokane has announced he will seek the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, who is seeking reelection for another six-year term.
Longtime Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, is retiring after serving 18 terms representing the 6th Congressional District, which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.
He has endorsed Port Angeles native Sen. Derek Kilmer of Gig Harbor, who is the only Democrat in the race for the two-year seat.
Republicans who have thrown their hats in the ring are Jesse Young, an economic development consultant who lives in Tacoma; Tacoma attorney Doug Cloud, who lives in Gig Harbor; and Weyerhaeuser heir Bill Driscoll of Tacoma, who works in the family lumber business.
Two other Republicans — David “Ike” Eichner, a Tacoma accountant, and Stephan Brodhead, a Bremerton businessman — also have indicated that they might run.
All statewide posts are in the offing — governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, superintendent of public instruction and insurance commissioner — plus three state Supreme Court justice seats, including that of Susan Owens, a former District Court judge in Forks.
The last day for a candidate to withdraw from the position is May 21.
After that time their name will appear on the ballot.
Clallam County positions on the ballot are a Clallam County commissioner seat, three races for Superior Court judge, a public utility district commissioner seat and 67 precinct committee officers.
For more information call 360-385-9118 or write karenc@jefferson.wa.us.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
