MONTESANO — The race to succeed retiring 24th District state Rep. Lynn Kessler of Hoquiam has produced a political anomaly:
A Republican has changed a Democrat’s mind.
Elected Montesano School Board member Jack Dwyer, one of four announced candidates vying to succeed Kessler, had planned to stay in his unpaid School Board seat if he won the election.
He changed his mind Thursday.
“I would just put out there very clearly that when I win the position in the House of Representatives, I would resign from the School Board and ask the School Board members to appoint someone in my place,” the Montesano chiropractor told the Peninsula Daily News.
“I see there would be some conflict between a local School Board issue versus state issues.
“There would be an appearance of a potential conflict of interest. I would have a higher responsibility as a House of Representatives member.”
Dwyer criticized fellow Democratic opponent Steve Tharinger of Sequim for saying he would keep his Clallam County commissioner position if he wins the Nov. 2 election.
Dwyer had questioned Tharinger’s ability to serve the interests of Grays Harbor County while doubling as a state legislator and county commissioner.
Also running for the position are retired Navy command Master Chief Larry Carter, who does not hold elective office, and Republican Jim McEntire of Sequim, a retired Coast Guard captain and a first-term Port of Port Angeles commissioner who said this week he will resign his port seat if elected.
McEntire’s reasoning — that serving as a port commissioner would be “like I am serving two masters” — persuaded Dwyer to have a change of heart, Dwyer said.
“I see McEntire’s point, and it is very reasonable.”
The 24th District covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and about a third of Grays Harbor County.
McEntire and Tharinger’s elected positions are paid. Dwyer’s position on the Montesano School Board is unpaid.
None of the announced candidates are officially in the race until the filing period, which will be from June 7-11.
Assuming all announced candidates file candidacy papers during the weeklong registration period, the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 17 primary election — regardless of party affiliation or incumbency — will move on to the Nov. 2 general election.
Tharinger won the 24th District Democratic Party nomination for the position on Saturday at the district convention in Port.
In an interview on Wednesday, he reaffirmed that if he wins the election, he intends to keep his commissioner position and make a decision by June 2011 on running for a fourth term.
His current term expires Dec. 31, 2011.
“I don’t look at it as two masters,” Tharinger said.
“You could argue Grays Harbor and Jefferson County get a fourth commissioner.”
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
