Port Angeles City Council primary election forms in first day of filing in Clallam County

34 candidates come out for public office

PORT ANGELES — A primary election emerged Monday during the first day of candidate filing for the Nov. 5 general election in Clallam County, when 68 positions will be on the ballot.

Tara Martin Lopez, Martha Cunningham and Brendan Meyer filed for the Port Angeles City Council position held by former Mayor Cherie Kidd, who under city ordinance cannot run for a fourth City Council term.

Any races with more than two candidates, except for Charter Review Commission seats, will be subject to the Aug. 6 primary election.

A contested race emerged for Sequim School Board District 3, where incumbent Jim Stoffer filed for re-election and Beth Smithson filed as a challenger.

Newcomer Jeff Gingell filed for the Forks City Council position being vacated by incumbent Bill Brager.

Thirty-four candidates filed for election, while more incumbents said Monday they were not running for re-election.

John Beitzel, a Hospital District 2-Olympic Medical Center commissioner for two, six-year terms, said it’s time for him to leave the door open for a new board member.

“I’m turning 80, and I think someone younger might be a little more appropriate,” Beitzel said Monday.

Warren Pierce of Sequim filed for Beitzel’s position. OMC hospital Commissioners Jean Hordyk and Thom Hightower filed for re-election.

Superior Court Judge Brent Basden was the first to file his candidacy Monday in person at 8:11 a.m. for former Judge Chris Melly’s one-year unexpired term.

Twenty-three candidates had filed by noon Monday, including eight online, Auditor Shoona Riggs said.

“It’s been steady,” she said.

“Having this many come in Monday morning is very typical.”

Tom Ferrell filed for the Sequim City Council seat held by Candace Pratt, who is not running for re-election.

“Fingers crossed that some women will file,” Pratt said Sunday in an email.

Larry Jeffryes filed for the Sequim School Board position held by Robin Henrickson, who is not seeking re-election.

“I’m starting a new position myself,” Henrickson said Monday.

“It’s been a really difficult time sitting on the board.

“While I valued the time, I need to step away.”

A contest emerged for the Sequim Fire District 3 seat held by James Barnfather.

Barnfather and challenger Bill Miano filed for the six-year position.

Stoffer, Ted Miller, Stephen Landess and Donald Hatler, all of Sequim, filed for county Charter Review Commission District 1 seats.

Steven Wyall and William Kildall of Port Angeles filed for District 2 seats.

Lisa Unger and Don Corson of Port Angeles, and City Council member Mike French of Port Angeles, filed for District 3 seats.

Five seats are available for each Charter Review Commission district.

If more than five candidates file for a district position, the top five candidates in the general election will sit on the commission.

Superior Court Judge Lauren Erickson also filed for former Superior Court Judge Erik Rohrer’s one-year unexpired term.

Erickson and Basden were appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to the positions after Melly and Rohrer resigned before the end of their terms.

Also filing for re-election were Connie Beauvais of Joyce, the West End-Port Angeles Port of Port Angeles commissioner, and incumbent Port Angeles School Board member Sandy Long.

Others filing were incumbent William Armacost, Sequim City Council; Eric A. Pickens, Sequim School Board; Greg Bellamy Sr., Clallam Bay Fire District 5 commissioner; incumbents Jan. L. Richardson and Chuck Nagel, county Park and Recreation District 1; incumbent Nedra Reed, Quillayute Park and Recreation District commissioner; incumbent Richard Rudd, Port Angeles Fire District 2 commissioner; and incumbent Jim Larison, SunLand Water District commissioner.

Filing at the Clallam County Auditor’s Office at the county Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles, continues daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday.

Candidates can file online until 4 p.m. Friday.

Information on open positions, voter registration and filing for candidacy is at tinyurl.com/PDN-ElectionInfo.

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