DUNGENESS — Steve Tharinger, a Clallam County commissioner from Dungeness, has confirmed that he will run for a seat in the state Legislature.
Tharinger, a Democrat, will vie for the 24th District seat currently held by House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler.
Kessler, D-Hoquiam, is not seeking re-election.
“I have been both surprised and pleased by the number of friends and colleagues who have come forward to encourage me to run,” Tharinger, 60, said in a prepared statement released Friday.
“I have respected Lynn’s work for so many years, I simply had not thought about making this move.
“Now that the decision is made, however, I look forward to the campaign and to representing this district.”
The 24th District covers Clallam, Jefferson and portions of Gray’s Harbor County.
Tharinger announced last month that he was considering running for the state office. The filing period for candidates is June 7-11.
Assuming all file candidacy papers during the registration period, the top two vote-getters in the August primary election regardless of party affiliation or incumbency will move on to the November general election.
If he wins the seat, Tharinger will keep his seat on the Board of Clallam County Commissioners at least until his term expires at the end of 2011.
