Field takes shape for fall election

Published 4:34 pm Thursday, April 30, 2009

Plateau voters face a mixed bag of election scenarios as they prepare for the fall season, with its September primary and November general election.

The playing field was established last week during the statewide filing period.

Many Plateau races are uncontested, giving a lone candidate a free pass into office; some have only a pair of candidates, making the primary election meaningless, as both will advance to the general; and, in a few cases, voters will actually have a decision to make in September. In a limited number of races, three candidates are vying for the same elective office.

Shaping up to be the most entertaining race is the battle for the District 9 seat on the Metropolitan King County Council. Three Republicans filed for the office - Phil Fortunato, Steve Hammond and Pam Roach - along with Democrat Barbara Heavey, who will carry her party's banner into November.

The race is to fill the remaining two years of a term initially won by Kent Pullen. His untimely death created the vacancy, and Hammond, an Enumclaw minister, was chosen by the remaining members of the council to fill the seat until election time. Roach, a state senator, worked for Pullen, but she and Hammond parted ways after it became clear she would be opposing him in September. Fortunato, a former state representative, had sought the appointment that eventually went to Hammond, as did Roach.

Other races look like this.

Enumclaw City Council

The only race will be for Position 4, where both Jeff Beckwith and Athena Dean will be on the ballot. Beckwith currently holds the seat, but is fairly new, having been appointed about 10 months ago to fill a council vacancy. Dean has previously expressed an interest in the council, seeking an appointment, but this is her first actual campaign.

In the other "races," incumbent Glen Jensen is unopposed in his effort to keep his Position 2 seat and council newcomer Jim Hogan also is unopposed for Position 6. Hogan was appointed in June.

Buckley City Council

Incumbent Norm Irons has decided against seeking another term, and his council post is being sought by Beverly Schneider and Ron Weigelt. A pair of incumbents - Jan Twardoski and Pat Johnson - are running unopposed.

There will be a special three-day filing period for a council position that attracted no candidates. That ends at 4:30p.m. Thursday.

Black Diamond City Council

All three incumbents will be facing challengers in November. For Position 1, incumbent Mario Sorci is opposed by Anna Marie Morris; for Position 3, Michael Cline is opposed by Barry Kombol; and for Position 5, George McPherson is opposed by Robert Kemmer. Kombol ran for mayor two years ago, losing to incumbent Howard Botts, meeting emotional, vocal opposition along the way.

Wilkeson Town Council

The small town provides the most active ballot, with four races, two of which will be narrowed in the September primary. Incumbent Dale Perry has decided against seeking another term, and three hopefuls - Joan Miller, Bernd "Ben" Odanovich and Kim Schoon - have filed for the post. Position 2 is now vacant, and three hopefuls - Janet Kepka, Darla McQueen and Kevin Schoon - have filed.

In the Position 1 race, incumbent Jim Walker is being challenged by Becky Gilbert; and in the Position 5 race, incumbent Jean Finney is opposed by Candi Ritting.

Carbonado Mayor

Richie Morgan is unopposed in his bid for another term.

Carbonado Town Council

The Position 5 seat is contested, with Buck McBride and James Young in the running. Jay Argo and Jon Streepy are running unopposed.

South Prairie Town Council

Four seats are on the ballot, but only two are contested. In the race for Position 1, incumbent Anthony Caldwell is challenged by Scott Easley Sr., and in the race for Position 4, incumbent Barbara Wigton is opposed by Chandra Hairston. Incumbents Robert Stanbary and Arlynn Caldwell are unopposed in the re-election bid.

Enumclaw School Board

There's no drama here, as all three incumbents are running unopposed. On their way to another term are Nancy Merrill, Dale Holland and Lorianne Taff.

White River School Board

It's the same story in White River as in Enumclaw - incumbents are unopposed. Filling another term will be Susan McGuire and Jean Lacy.

Carbonado School Board

Carbonado makes it a clean sweep for the school board races: all incumbents are running again and none are opposed. Here, serving another term will be Jim Hall, David Bentley and Sue McBride.

Fire District 28

Chris Ingham is unopposed for the Position 3 seat.

Burnett Water District

Bob Harding is unopposed for the Position 1 seat, a two-year term.