SEQUIM — U.S. congressional hopeful Doug Cloud had the stage to himself as incumbent Congressman Norm Dicks was unable to attend a Concerned Citizens of Clallam County forum Monday night.
Four-C officials had said Dicks would debate Cloud, a 53-year-old Gig Harbor attorney, at their monthly meeting.
Nick Woodson, a Dicks campaign staffer, told a crowd of more than 200 at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club that his boss was on his way back to Washington, D.C.
Dicks’ office had informed Four-C officials that the congressmen would not attend, Woodson said.
A Cloud supporter held a sign that read: “Where’s Norm?” as Woodson read from a campaign statement.
Woodson took notes at the forum to give the Dicks campaign an opportunity to respond to Cloud’s speech.
Dicks, D-Belfair, has represented the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula, for 34 years.
“We need real, earth-shaking, hair-raising revolutionary-type change right now,” said Cloud, a Republican, before taking a series of questions from the audience.
See Wednesday’s Peninsula Daily News for a full report.
OTHER FORUMS
The League of Women Voters of Clallam County has announced four upcoming election forums on issues and candidates.
Mail-in ballots for the Nov. 2 general election will be sent to registered voters on Oct. 13.
The League forums are:
■ Wednesday — Pros and cons of proposed tax initiatives 1053, 1098 and 1107.
The forum will be at 7 p.m. at the Senior Services and Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St., Port Angeles.
■ Monday, Oct. 4 — Clallam County commissioner, director of community development and county treasurer candidates.
The forum will be at 7 p.m. in the Clallam County commissioners meeting room, Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Incumbent Mike Doherty, 67, a Port Angeles Democrat, is challenged by Republican Robin Poole, 61, a UPS driver living in Beaver, for the District 3 county commission seat.
Incumbent John Miller, 61, of Port Angeles, faces Carlsborg resident Sheila Roark Miller, 51, a county code compliance officer, for the Clallam County community development director seat. The two Millers are not related.
Incumbent Judith Scott, 59, is challenged by Selinda Barkhuis, 48, of Port Angeles, a county development planner, for the county treasurer’s post.
■ Saturday, Oct. 9 — Candidates for District 24 seats in the state House of Representatives.
The forum will be at 2 p.m. in the Port Angeles City Council chamber, 321 E. Fifth St.
Incumbent Kevin Van De Wege, 35, a Democrat from Sequim who is a firefighter and paramedic, is being challenged by Republican Dan Gase, 56, a Port Angeles real estate managing broker and consultant, for Position 1.
Republican Jim McEntire, 60, of Sequim, one of the three Port of Port Angeles commissioners and a retired Coast Guard captain, and Steve Tharinger, 61, also of Sequim, one of the three Clallam County commissioners, are vying to replace Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, who is retiring this year from Position 2.
■ Wednesday, Oct. 13 — Clallam County prosecuting attorney candidates and the pros and cons of Initiative 1082
The forum will be at 7 p.m. at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St.
Republican Deb Kelly, 57, of Port Angeles, is seeking a third four-year term as prosecuting attorney.
Her challenger, Democrat Larry Freedman, 72, is a Sequim attorney.
