SEQUIM — Linda Barnfather, a Sequim Democrat, is the first candidate to announce candidacy for the Clallam County commissioner seat now held by fellow Sequim Democrat Steve Tharinger.
Barnfather, 48, the legislative assistant for Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, announced Friday that she will seek the District 1 position in the Nov. 8 election.
Tharinger announced Tuesday that he will not seek a fourth term to continue representing the county’s eastside district after his term expires at the end of this year.
Instead, he will focus on his role as a 24th District representative in the state Legislature, a seat he won in November in a close race with Sequim Republican Jim McEntire.
Said Barnfather: “When this opportunity came up, I felt strongly that I wanted to be part of it.
“I feel that I can bring a fresh perspective.”
The election filing period is June 6-10.
Dick Pilling, Clallam County’s Republican Party chairman, said he expected an announcement from a candidate to oppose Barnfather within the next couple of days.
He wouldn’t reveal who the candidate might be or when announcements could be expected.
“I’m delighted that Mr. Tharinger decided he can’t serve two masters, and I look forward to the fall election,” Pilling said.
“There are several announcements that will come out soon.”
McEntire, a Port of Port Angeles commissioner, said last week he is considering running for District 1.
He said Friday that he hadn’t made up his mind yet and that Barnfather’s announcement didn’t make much difference in his consideration.
McEntire won the vote in Clallam County when he ran against Tharinger for the state legislative seat in November. Tharinger won the districtwide vote in the close race.
Tharinger said he had heard rumors that Barnfather was considering running but that the two hadn’t talked before she announced.
“I think she is a strong candidate and is knowledgeable and has a good approach with working with the public,” Tharinger said.
“I’m glad she has decided to run.”
Tharinger said he hadn’t yet heard who planned to run for his seat and so had made no decision about endorsing a successor.
Party chairman
Matthew Randazzo, Clallam County’s Democratic Party chairman, said he was interested to see Barnfather announce her candidacy and was looking forward to the race.
“I think everyone knows and likes Linda personally, and we’ll see what kind of candidate she is and who else shows up,” he said.
“She is a good Democrat, and we all like her, but we will have to see how things go on the campaign trail.”
Endorsements would be made by the party membership, he said.
In addition to serving as assistant to Van De Wege for more than three years, Barnfather simultaneously served as a legislative assistant to House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler during the past nine months of her career, Barnfather said.
Kessler, a Hoquiam Democrat, retired last year after 18 years in the Legislature, 12 of them as House majority leader.
“In my legislative role, I have daily front-line contact with the citizens of Clallam County,” Barnfather said.
“Through my conversations and correspondence with them, I have become well-versed in the issues of importance to this region.”
Barnfather advocates “continued strength in economic development that is balanced with responsible environmental stewardship.
“I think we really need to focus on stewardship of the natural beauty and natural resources of our area, promoting of tourism and family wage jobs so that people can live here and prosper.”
Barnfather also is a member of the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau’s Board of Directors and of the Clallam County Economic Development Council.
“My collaborative approach to solving issues will involve teamwork with other board members and local officials and an open door and listening ear to the citizens of the county,” Barnfather said.
Commissioner Mike Chapman, an independent from Port Angeles who was originally elected as a Republican, represents the middle third of the county in District 2, which includes Port Angeles.
Commissioner Mike Doherty, D-Port Angeles, represents the western third, District 3, which includes Forks.
Both Van De Wege and Tharinger represent a legislative district that covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
Barnfather also has worked as a property manager and owns a small property development company with her husband, James Barnfather, a Clallam County Fire District 3 commissioner.
A Washington state native and a graduate of Washington State University, Barnfather has lived on the Olympic Peninsula for eight years, she said.
