A number of incumbents running for office in Grays Harbor County will run unopposed, including Port Commissioner Jack Thompson, seeking his fifth consecutive term. Former county commissioner Frank Gordon, who lost his seat on the commission last fall, will also be unopposed in his bid to return to the Aberdeen City Council. The incumbent, Denny Lawrence, did not file before the Friday deadline.
Former McCleary mayor Donald Gary Dent has filed to run against Mayor Brent Schiller. Schiller was appointed as mayor after Dent abruptly resigned in October 2015 citing “bickering” and undisclosed health concerns. The months leading to Dent’s resignation saw his leadership clouded in several high-profile controversies. The city received findings from the state Auditor’s Office, one for “illegal” use of funds from the city’s light and power fund, and Dent attempted to launch a lawsuit against his entire city council for attempting to undermine his authority, going so far as to have the council served with legal paperwork. Shortly before his resignation, the city council unanimously stated a lack of confidence in Dent during a special meeting. Dent has more than 20 years’ experience leading the city, first winning election as mayor in 1976.
Montesano’s Ken Albert has filed for the Grays Harbor County Treasurer position. Albert was appointed to the position in 2016 after the resignation of longtime Treasurer Ron Strabbing. Albert is filing to be elected to the one year remaining on Strabbing’s term. If Albert chooses to seek a full term, he’ll have to file to run again next year.
In Montesano, four positions are up for election. Incumbents Clint Bryson, Ian Cope and Tyler Trimble all have filed for re-election. For Position 2, Cope will be challenged by Barry Iverson. Iverson unsuccessfully ran for a council seat against Nikki Hutchinson-King in 2015. Trimble, who holds Position 6, is being challenged by Ray Meyers. Robert Hatley and Kim Cristobal will vie for Position 3.
While several fire districts have positions up for election, of significant note is Fire District 5 which will go to a primary. Liisa Mayberry, Eric L. Patton and Dave Hauge have all filed for the Fire District 5 position one seat.
Grays Harbor Hospital District 2, which operates Community Hospital in Aberdeen, will have three contested races as all three incumbents drew challengers.
The Aberdeen School Board will have at least two contested races. The position 1 race features Devin Backholm, Jennifer Durney (daughter of former Hoquiam and Aberdeen mayor Jack Durney) and Anna Stone.
For the Position 4 seat incumbent Jamie Walsh is being challenged by William Dyer, once the band and music instructor at Miller Junior High and now a music instructor at Grays Harbor College.
In Hoquiam, incumbent Christie Goodenough, will be challenged by Elizabeth (Lisa) Zaborac for a seat on the school board.
In Westport, former mayor Michael Bruce filed to oppose incumbent Louis Summers.
Below is the current list of candidate filings for the 2017 August 1 primary. Unless otherwise noted the positions are nonpartisan.
Treasurer, Ken Albert (prefers Democratic Party)
Grays Harbor Port District
Commissioner 2, Jack Thompson
Hospital District 1
Hospital 1 Position 1, Georgette Beerbower Hiles, Carolyn Wescott, Otis Leathers
Hospital District 2
Hospital 2 Commissioner District 1, Maryann Welch, Dale Hensley
Hospital 2 Position 1, Robert Torgerson and John Lester Farra
Hospital 2 Position 2, Pete Scroggs, Melanie Leiann Sturgeon
Aberdeen City Council
Ward 1 Position 2, Tawni Andrews, Robert J. Rodgers, Dicky Murchy
Ward 2 Position 4, John J. Maki
Ward 3 Position 5, Tim Alstrom
Ward 4 Position 7, Janae M. Chhith, Karen Rowe and Brian Little
Ward 5 Position 10, Alan Richrod, Robert Jerrick Rodgers
Ward 6 Position 11, Frank Gordon
City of Cosmopolis
Position 4, Paul Chrt and Debra Moran
Position 5, Dale Andrews and Richard (Dick) Kellar
City of Elma Council
Position 1, Pat Miller
Position 2, Elroy Papke and David Blackett
Position 3, Tom Boling
Hoquiam City Council
Ward 1 Position 2, Paul McMillan
Ward 2 Position 4, Jim George
Ward 3 Position 6, Bill Nelson and Richard Sinclair
Ward 4 Position 7, Greg Grun
Ward 5 Position 10, Denise Anderson
Ward 6 Position 12, Angela Forkum
McCleary
Mayor, Brent Schiller, Donald Gary Dent and Jared Berken
McCleary City Council
Position 2, Brycen Huff and Gary Atkins
Position 3, Eric J. Hart, Jaron Heller and Odd DeBakker
Position 4, Ben Blankenship and John Dunning
Position 5, Joy Iverson
Montesano City Council
Position 1, Clint Bryson
Position 2, Ian Cope and Barry Iverson
Position 3, Robert Hatley, Kim Cristobal
Position 6, Ray Meyers and Tyler Trimble
City of Oakville
Mayor, Keith Francis
Position 5, John Ruymann
Ocean Shores City Council
Position 1, Susan Conniry, John Lynn and Michael Darling
Position 3, Lisa Griebel, John Schroeder, Shannon Rubin and Jackie Farra
Position 5, Will Oaks, Steve Ensley and Randy D. Scott
Position 7, Gordon H. Broadbent, Robert Crumpacker and Carlos Roldan
Westport City Council
Position 1, Melissa Huerta
Position 3, Louis Summers and Michael Bruce
Position 4, Tom Aronson
Aberdeen School District #5
School 5 Position 1, Devin Backholm, Jennifer Durney and Anna Stone
School 5 Position 2, Erin Farrer
School 5 Position 4, Jamie Walsh, William Dyer
School 5 Position 5, Sandra F. Bielski
Hoquiam School District #28
School 28 Position 4, Chris Eide
School 28 Position 5, Christie Goodenough and Elizabeth (Lisa) Zaborac
North Beach School District #64
School 64 Director District 1, Jeff Wilson
School 64 Director District 2, Linda R. Poplin
School 64 Director District 3, Rachel D. Carl
School 64 Director District 5, Scott Sage
McCleary School District #65
School 65 Director District 2, Sarah Kinney
School 65 Director District 3, Mark D. Duncan
Montesano School District #66
School 66 Director District 1, Moraya Wilson
School 66 Director District 2, Chris Thomas
School 66 Director District 4, Tiffany Schweppe
Elma School District #68
School 68 Director District 1, Larry Bridenback and Chad Searls
School 68 Director District 2, Rick Gravatt
School 68 Director District 5, Teresa Boling
Quinault School District #97
School 97 Director District 2, David Christiansen
School 97 Director District 5, Anita Blackburn
Cosmopolis School District #99
School 99 Director District 1, Mark Collett, Barbie Smith and Tina Miles
School 99 Director District 2, Wayne Cotton and Lisa Garity
School 99 Director District 4 (at large), David Palmer, Cindy Grenier and Mike Charlton
Satsop School District #104
School 104 Position 4, Shawna Williams
School 104 Position 5, Terri Carl
Wishkah School District #117
School 117 Director District 2, Denny Van Blaricom Jr.
School 117 Director District 3, Travis Warren
Ocosta School District #172
School 172 Director District 2, Scott Jones,
School 172 Position 4, Hillary Bearden
North River School District #300
Director Position 1, Robert Sholes
School Director Position 2, Carolyn Lande and Brian Carbaugh
School Director Position 5, Bethany Mizushima
Mary M. Knight School District #79
School Board Director District 2, Shawn Donnelly
School Board Director Position 2, Leroy T. Valley, Jennifer Phipps
Oakville School District #400
School 400 Director District 1, Jennifer Tushka
School 400 Director District 4, John Shortman Jr.
Rochester School District #61
School Board Director District 1, Michael Langer
School Board Director District 4, Connie Smejkal
School Board Director District 5, John Mortenson
Fire District 1
Fire 1 Position 1, Larry Curfman and Clarence (Buck) Graham
Fire District 2
Fire 2 Position 1, Adam Bigby
Fire District 4
Fire 4 Position 1, Mike Shepard
Fire District 5
Fire 5 Position 1, Liisa Mayberry, Eric L. Patton and David Hauge
Fire District 7
Fire 7 Position 2, Darrell Haglund
Fire 7 Position 3, Joseph Fernandez and Jim Richards
Fire District 8
Fire 8 Position 1, Clinton L. Davis and Stephanie Allestad
Fire District 10
Fire 10 Position 1, Mike Toy
Fire District 11
Fire 11 Position 1, David McLellan
Fire District 12
Fire Commissioner Position 2, Albert (Buck) Wilder and Nicholas Jones
Fire District 17
Fire 17 Position 1, Calvin Pierce III, Bruce Brown
Park District 1
Parks Position 1, Jim White
Parks Position 2, Mike Reichenberger
Parks Position 5, Tanya Lane
Water District 2
Water 2 Position 2, Tom Epperson
Some offices did not have any candidates as of the end of the filing period – 4 p.m. Friday for online registration, 4:30 p.m. for in-person filing at the auditor’s office. Candidates will have a chance for these offices in the near future, though sources at the Grays Harbor County Auditor’s office said when exactly that filing period will begin has not yet been decided.
Important dates for voters
July 3: Last day to apply by online for new or updated voter registration to be eligible to vote in the primary
July 14: 18-day primary election voting period begins
July 24: Last day to register to vote in person to be eligible to vote in the primary
August 1: Primary election day
