CHIMACUM — One day after Tuesday’s election, Jefferson County Democrats had gathered about 1,000 campaign signs and brought them to the Tri-Area Community Center to be sorted and returned to candidates.
The Jefferson County Democratic Party assembled a team of about 20 volunteers for the task, finishing most of the work by noon Wednesday.
Party member Bruce Cowan said signs represent a significant investment for candidates.
“Each candidate bought hundreds of signs, and there were sticks and the expense of putting them together,” Cowan said.
“They are a necessary evil of the campaign. We know they are ugly, but there just doesn’t seem to be an alternative.”
Cowan said candidates can reuse their signs in the future, which is why they don’t usually include the year of the election.
The signs are separated from the sticks and recycled unless the candidate requests they not be disassembled, Cowan said.
The party performed the service for its endorsed candidates.
They include U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, who represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula; and state Rep. Steve Tharinger of the 24th Legislative District, which covers Jefferson and Clallam counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
Also endorsed were Kathleen Kler, county commissioner candidate; Judy Maves-Klatt, auditor candidate; and Wendy Davis, sheriff candidate.
In addition, volunteers were authorized to collect signs for incumbent Prosecuting Attorney Scott Rosekrans and challenger Mike Haas; Kenneth Collins, Jefferson County Public Utility District commissioner candidate; and Cheryl Potebnya, who challenged District Court Judge Jill Landis.
Landis and Tony De Leo, who vied with Collins for the PUD seat, declined offers to have their signs collected, according to party member Deborah Pederson.
Offers were not extended to sheriff candidate David Stanko or auditor candidate Rose Ann Carroll, both running as Democrats, because they were not endorsed by the party, Pederson said.
No Republicans filed for county offices this election cycle.
Signs missed by the effort can be reported to jeffcodemocratsyardsigns@gmail.com and should include the candidate’s name and the location of the sign.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
