Grays Harbor County Democrats have nominated three candidates for County Commissioners to choose from when they appoint a new county Auditor in the wake of the retirement of Vern Spatz.

Since Spatz was a Democrat, the local party gets a chance to nominate a replacement.

The party’s top choice is Chris Thomas, a Montesano School Board member. Also nominated were Jasmine Dickhoff, mayor of Hoquiam, and Ruth Kivi of Montesano.

An announcement on the party’s Facebook page said, “All three are well qualified and ready to hit the ground running.”

Not on the list is Joesph MacLean, a Republican who works for the state Secretary of State’s Office and has extensive experience in elections. He now lives in Elma, but prior to moving here worked for seven years in the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office.

MacLean asked local Democrats to put him on the list, but said he knew it was a longshot.

Whoever the county appoints, that person will only serve until a replacement can be elected. The appointed auditor will have to run for election in 2018.