The paperwork has been filed and now the long slog through election season is under way.
Candidates for a wide range of political positions made their intentions known last week, filing with the secretary of state or elections departments in King and Pierce counties. Candidates’ names will first appear on the Aug. 1 primary ballot and, by virtue of Washington’s “top two” system, a pair of finalists — regardless of party affiliation — will advance to November’s general election.
Perhaps the most interesting scenarios will be playing out in mayoral races. In Enumclaw, citizens will have a new mayor, as Liz Reynolds is stepping aside after two terms and will be replaced by a sitting member of the City Council; filing for the city’s top post were Kimberly Lauk and Jan Molinaro.
In Buckley, longtime Mayor Pat Johnson is being challenged by Councilman Marvin Sundstrom.
And, in the wild and woolly world of city politics, Mayor Carol Benson is being challenged by Judy Baxley. Adding to the intrigue in Black Diamond is the fact that two current council members are not seeking re-election.
There will also be new mayors in Sumner, South Prairie and Wilkeson, where incumbents chose against running again.
Here’s a list of local positions to be considered during the coming election season and those who hope to grab the public vote. An asterisk indicates an incumbent office-holder.
31ST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Senate: Phil Fortunato (R)*, Michelle Rylands (D)
House Position 2: Morgan Irwin (R)*, Nate Lowry (D)
King County
Council District 9: Denice Carnahan, Reagan Dunn*
CITY OF BLACK DIAMOND
Mayor: Judy A. Baxley, Carol Benson*
City Council Position 2: Melissa Oglesbee, Steve Paige, Michelle Young
City Council Position 4: Ed Hanrahan, Scott Sherer, Erin Rose Stout
CITY OF ENUMCLAW
Mayor: Kimberly Lauk, Jan Molinaro
City Council Position 1: Tony Binion, Steve Cadematori*
City Council Position 3: Kael Johnson, Nick Morris, Anthony Wright*
City Council Position 5: Kyle Jacobson, Kyle Kading, Blain Thomas
City Council Position 7: Jean Hoiland, Hoke Overland*
CITY OF BUCKLEY
Mayor: Patricia (Pat) Johnson*, Marvin Sundstrom
City Council Position 1: Nora (Lyn) Rose*, Ron Smith
City Council Position 2: Cristi Boyle Barrett*, Connie Bender
City Council Position 3: Chuck Helmer, Luke Wilbanks
City Council Position 7: Sandy Burkett*
CITY OF BONNEY LAKE
Mayor: Neil Johnson Jr.*
City Council Position 1: Randy McKibbin*
City Council Position 3: Dan Swatman*
City Council Position 6: Dave Baus, Terry Carter, Pablo Monroy
CITY OF CARBONADO
City Council Position 1: Rebecca L. Baker, John (Rick) Pries III*
City Council Position 2: Kevin M. Vesey*
City Council Position 4: Tom Argo
CITY OF SUMNER
Mayor: Bill Pugh
City Council Position 1: Ronald (Ron) Haines, Melony Pederson
City Council Position 2: Kathy Hayden*
City Council Position 3: Steve Allsop*, Barbara Bitetto
Town of South Prairie
Mayor: Stu Terry
City Council Position 2: Tim Trent*
City Council Position 3: Joseph E. Mills*
City Council Position 5: Janyce Twardoski*
TOWN OF WILKESON
Mayor: Jeff W. Sellers
Council Position 1: Dan Hogerhuis, Charles Rogers
Council Position 2: Mark Zumba
Council Position 3: Bambi Thawsh*
Council Position 4: Bill Summers*
Council Position 5: Donna Hogerhuis*
CARBONADO SCHOOL DISTRICT
Director Position 1: Laurie McNabb*
Director Position 2: Danielle Brooks*
DIERINGER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Director District 1: Greg Garrison
Director District 3: Chelsea Steiner
Director District 4: No one filed
ENUMCLAW SCHOOL DISTRICT
Position 2: Jennifer Watterson
Position 3: Tyson Gamblin*
Position 5: Bryan Stanwood*
SUMNER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Director District 1: Deborah (Deb) Norris*
Director District 5: Erin Markquart*
WHITE RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Director District 1: Michael Jansen*
Director District 3: Denise Vogel*
Director District 4: Cassandra D. Pearson*
Director District 5: Matt Scheer*
EAST PIERCE FIRE AND RESCUE
Commissioner Position 4: Edward (Ed) Egan*, Britt D. Kauffman
Commissioner Position 6: Randy J. Kroum, Victor Proulx*
ENUMCLAW FIRE DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Position 1: Paul Fisher, Jenny Page
Commissioner Position 4: Jim Zoll*
