All but one incumbent unopposed so far in Clallam candidate filings

PORT ANGELES — Incumbent elected Clallam County officials are sitting pretty for the Nov. 6 general election with two days left for challengers to file against them.

No one filed Tuesday for any county offices up for election in a so-far quiet candidate filing week.

“We had a few individuals inquiring about filing week without necessarily stating a certain office,” said Clallam County Auditor Shoona Riggs, who herself filed Monday for re-election.

“They have inquired about filing and when it is and what it takes to file and what’s the cost of a filing fee.

“All in all, it’s been pret- ty quiet.”

Filing week ends at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The only county incumbent thus far with a challenger is Department of Community Development Director Mary Ellen Winborn of Port Angeles, who is challenged by land use planner Julie Gardiner of Port Angeles.

Incumbents who filed this week include Teresa Marchi, Port Angeles, for treasurer, and incumbent Ted Simpson of Port Angeles and challenger Jim Waddell of Port Angeles, Clallam County Public Utility District 1, District 3.

Port Angeles-area District Court 1 Judge Rick Porter and West End-area District 2 Judge John Doherty are not running for re-election.

Port Angeles lawyers Dave Neupert, Pam Lindquist and Suzanne Hayden have filed for District Court 1, while Beaver lawyer John Black and county Superior Court Judge Erik Rohrer of Forks have filed for District Court 2.

Republican Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols and Assessor Pam Rushton, Sheriff Bill Benedict and Treasurer Teresa Marchi also filed for re-election.

Candidates also include Port Hadlock Republican Jodi Wilke, a licensed practical nurse who filed for freshman Port Angeles Democrat Mike Chapman’s 24th District Position 1 seat.

Chapman filed for re-election.

Republican Jim McEntire of Sequim, a former Clallam County commissioner and Port of Port Angeles commissioner, is trying again to unseat four-term Democrat Steve Tharinger of Sequim, a 24th District Position 2 state representative who defeated McEntire in 2010 for the two-year position.

The 24th District covers Clallam and Jefferson counties and the northern half of Grays Harbor County.

Shelton Republican Dr. Douglass Dightman, a family medicine practitioner, filed for the two-year term held by 6th Congressional District Democratic U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, a Port Angeles native who filed for a fourth two-year term.

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.