A pair of contested mayoral races highlight the Plateau’s political landscape, now that the 2009 filing period has come to an end.
Candidates, from longtime incumbents to the freshest of hopefuls, officially tossed their hats into the ring June 1 through Friday. In races where there are three candidates, the field will be whittled during an August primary election; otherwise, candidates will advance directly to November’s general election.
There was no surprise in Enumclaw’s mayoral race, as both candidates – two-term incumbent John Wise and present City Councilwoman Liz Reynolds – had made public announcements weeks earlier.
Adding interest to the Enumclaw scene is the race for the Position 7 seat on the City Council. Incumbent Jeff Coats chose not to run for re-election, opening the door for either former Councilman Sean Krebs or newcomer Cleet Christianson. Krebs lost his council post four years ago when he opted against re-election and instead ran against Wise for mayor.
The Position 1 seat on the Enumclaw City Council has former councilman Glen Jensen running unopposed. He last served four years ago but did not make a bid for re-election. The Position 1 seat is presently held by Reynolds.
The remaining two council positions to be decided offer nothing in the way of intrigue, as incumbents Kevin Mahelona and Mike Ennis are running unopposed.
Buckley
Mayor Pat Johnson is unopposed in her bid for another four-year term, but three of the city’s council positions are being contested.
For Position 2, incumbent Cristi Boyle Barrett is being challenged by council regular Marvin Sundstrom. For Position 3, incumbent Sandra Ramsey is opposed by Doug Harple, and for Position 7, incumbent Mark McNally is challenged by Bryan Howard. Facing no opposition are Randy Reed, the Position 1 incumbent, and Melissa Patson, who was recently appointed to fill a Position 5 vacancy.
Black Diamond
In the soon-to-be-growing community north of the Green River, longtime Mayor Howard Botts is being challenged by current Councilwoman Rebecca Olness.
The council seat Olness is vacating is being sought by Jim Kuzaro, Paula Koch-Boyd and William Sass. Incumbent Councilman Geoff Bowie is not being challenged.
Wilkeson
The small city celebrating its centennial will have a new mayor. Donna Hogerhuis, a prime mover behind the community’s 100th birthday festivities, is running unopposed for the post now held by Janet Kepka.
Likewise, there is no opposition in two council races, as Alex Liberty and Roy Hanson are unchallenged.
Carbonado
There is only one race for voters to decide. Sandi Carlson and Joseph King will battle for the City Council Position 1 seat while Kevin Vesey is unopposed for the Position 2 post.
South Prairie
No drama during election time here. Mayor Peggy Levesque is running unopposed, just like council candidates Dave Lykstad and Laura Heideman.
Schools
In the White River School District, two of the three board positions up for election have drawn a pair of candidates. In Director District 3, incumbent Denise Vogel is opposed by Kim Demarest, and in District 4, incumbent Joe Dieringer is challenged by Cassandra Pearson. In District 1, Michael Jansen is the only candidate seeking the post being vacated by veteran board member John McArtor.
In other local school districts, voters will have no decisions to make. In Enumclaw, Cathy Dahlquist and Chris Van Hoof are unopposed for re-election. In the Carbonado district, Laurie McNabb will keep her board seat and Jill Snover will be elected without competition.
Reach Kevin Hanson at khanson@courierherald.com or 360-802-8205.
