PORT ANGELES — John Dwyer made good Thursday on his Aug. 17 primary election night pledge and endorsed fellow Democrat Steve Tharinger, the top primary election vote-getter, for the 24th District House race in the Nov. 2 general election.
“I said from the beginning that I would support the Democratic nominee,” Dwyer, a Montesano chiropractor and School Board member, said Thursday in a telephone interview.
“I’m endorsing him.”
It’s the second big nod of approval this week for Tharinger, one of three Clallam County commissioners.
Retiring state Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, the House majority leader, endorsed Tharinger on Monday for her Position 2 seat, saying “he really understands us and what we need in Olympia.”
Tharinger, 61, said Dwyer’s endorsement should strengthen his support in Grays Harbor.
The 24th District includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and the northern portion of Grays Harbor County.
“I appreciated [Dwyer’s] comments on primary night, and I appreciate them now,” Tharinger said Thursday.
“With the endorsements of Lynn Kessler and Dwyer, people are starting to realize I have the best skill set and experience for the job.”
Opposing Tharinger is Republican Jim McEntire, 60, of Sequim.
A retired Coast Guard captain and one of the three Port of Port Angeles commissioners, McEntire finished second to Tharinger in the open primary, in which the top two vote-getters regardless of party affiliation move on to the general election.
Tharinger gained 15,940 votes to McEntire’s 15,852 votes, giving Tharinger an 88-vote victory out of 31,792 votes cast.
Tharinger garnered 37.66 percent, McEntire 37.46 percent, Dwyer 14.48 percent (6,128 votes) and Republican Larry Carter of Port Ludlow 10.4 percent (4,402 votes).
“Now is the time we need to come together as Democrats,” Dwyer said in a statement announcing his endorsement.
“We must win this seat and continue the long tradition of representation of the 24th District.”
Mail-in ballots will be sent Oct. 13 to registered voters.
Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.