PORT TOWNSEND — Tarboo Bay Democrat Diane Johnson made her Jefferson County commissioner challenge against Port Ludlow Democratic incumbent John Austin officials on Monday.
Both Johnson, a Port Hadlock psychotherapist, and Austin, a retired psychologist, filled out papers for their candidacies on the first day of filing week Monday for the fall election.
Port Ludlow Republican Jim Boyer, who announced his intention to run against Austin more than a year ago, did not file his candidacy Monday because of a family emergency but said he would be filing this morning — which would automatically toss the race into the August primary since there would be at least three candidates.
“I’m on my way over there [today], and I hope we have some interesting conversations,” Boyer said.
The top two voter-getters from the Aug. 17 primary would move on to the Nov. 2 general election regardless of party affiliation.
No other open elected Jefferson County positions were challenged as of 4:30 p.m. Monday when the Auditor’s Office closed its elections division.
“No surprises,” said Karen Cartmel, chief deputy auditor for elections.
But candidates filed elsewhere for offices that Jefferson County voters will help decide. They were:
• U.S. Senate: Incumbent Patty Murray, D-Freeland, filed her papers for re-election on Monday, as did challengers independent Schalk Leonard of Poulsbo, Republican Norma D. Gruber of Walla Walla, independent James “Skip” Mercer of Bellevue, and a Democrat who goes by one name, Goodspaceguy, of Seattle.
• Congress: Democrat Norm Dicks of Belfair, a 16-term incumbent, is being challenged by Republican lawyer Doug Cloud of Tacoma, whom Dicks defeated in 2008 for the two-year, 6th District position. Both filed papers Monday.
• 24th District state representative: In Position 1, incumbent Democrat Kevin Van De Wege of Sequim filed Monday.
In Position 2, being vacated by the retiring Lynn Kessler, Republican Jim McEntire of Sequim, filed candidacy papers at 8 a.m. Monday.
• Jefferson County: Incumbents who filed their candidacy papers Monday were Auditor Donna Eldridge, a Republican who has held the seat since 1995; Assessor Jack Westerman III, who is the longest-standing assessor in the state at 31 years; Democratic Sheriff Tony Hernandez, who is finishing an appointed seat to run for his first full four-year term; Superior Court Clerk Ruth Gordon, who seeks a second four-year term; and nonpartisan District Court Judge Jill Landes, who seeks a second four-year term.
Jefferson County Public Utility District Commissioner Barney Burke of Port Townsend, who was appointed by fellow commissioners to fill the nonpartisan seat vacated in November with the death of Dana Roberts, also filed Monday.
The filing period opened at 8:30 a.m. Monday and continues daily until 4:30 p.m. Friday at the county Auditor’s Office on the second floor of Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Candidates are required to pay filing fees, which amount to 10 percent of the annual salary of each position.
Countywide candidate filings can be seen at the Washington secretary of state website, http://tinyurl.com/nhow2a.
All offices have four-year terms, except the PUD No. 1 commissioner, a six-year term. Filing fees are nonrefundable and candidates have until June 17 to pull out of a race.
Candidates can now be notified by e-mail if an opponent files for the same office.
At 4:30 p.m. Friday, candidates will draw lots for their places on the ballot at the county Auditor’s Office.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
