There are 37 city council seats across Grays Harbor County up for grabs in the November 2021 general election — including seven in Aberdeen and eight in Hoquiam — and candidates seeking those and other offices can file for election May 17-21.

As filing week nears, some incumbents have already told the Daily World they would not be seeking re-election.

“No, I’m not going to re-run,” said Aberdeen Ward 1 Position 2 City Councilwoman Tawni Andrews. “Two terms, aka eight years, so I’m going to take a break. Some fresh blood can step in.”

In her two terms, Andrews has served as council president and has chaired several couincil committees, currently heading the public safety committee.

Another Aberdeen councilwoman, longtime Ward 4 Position 7 Councilwoman Margo Shortt, will also not seek re-election.

“For a number of reasons I will not be seeking a council seat again; 17 1/2 years is enough,” she told the Daily World. “It’s been a great learning experience, fulfilling, a chance to meet and work with a number of folks I now consider friends, but it is time to call it quits for this part of my life. There are many well-qualified folks in our ward who can serve very well.”

Ward 3, Position 5 Aberdeen Councilwoman Liz Ellis said Friday that she was undecided. The remaining incumbents did not immediately reply to a Daily World email last week.

Other open seats on the Aberdeen council include: Ward 1 Position 1, currently held by recently appointed Melvin Taylor; Ward 2 Position 4, incumbent John Maki; Ward 5 Position 10, incumbent Alan Richrod; and Ward 6 Position 11, incumbent Frank Gordon.

In Hoquiam, City Council incumbents Paul McMillan, Ward 1; Tracey Ushman, Ward 3; and Elizabeth Reid, Ward 6 have said they will file for re-election. The other five incumbents did not immediately reply to a Daily World email last week.

Other open seats on the Hoquiam City Council include Ward 1 Position 1, incumbent John Pellegrini; Ward 2 Position 4, incumbent Jim George; Ward 3 Position 6, incumbent Bill Nelson; Ward 4 Position 7, incumbent Greg Grun; and Ward 5 Position 10, incumbent Denise Anderson.

Countywide elections

There are three countywide positions up for election this year. County Prosecutor Norma Tillotson, who was appointed to take over for previous prosecutor and now Superior Court Judge Katie Svoboda earlier this year, will be filing to become the county’s elected prosecutor, as expected.

Longtime Port of Grays Harbor Commissioner Stan Pinnick will run to retain his seat among the three Port commissioners. He was elected to the commission in 2003; Port commissioners serve 6-year terms.

County Auditor is up for grabs this year. Incumbent Joe MacLean did not respond immediately to an email asking if he intended to run for re-election.

Two mayoral elections

There are two mayoral elections in the county this year, McCleary and Oakville.

“At this time, it is my plan to run for re-election,” said McCleary Mayor Brenda Orffer. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the City of McCleary as mayor, and I hope to continue serving in this capacity.”

Incumbent Oakville Mayor Angelo Cilluffo did not immediately respond to an email sent last week about his intentions this filing week.

Filing week

Candidates interested in filing for election can do so online at the county auditor’s office, https://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/government/Auditors/elections.php. There you will find the complete list of offices up for election — which also includes multiple school board and fire district positions — filing fees associated with each office, and a candidate filing guide.

Filing fees vary from position to position and are based on 1% of the salary attached to each position, explained county Elections Manager Scott Turnbull. If a candidate cannot afford the filing fee, there is another way to file for the office, a “petition method, where they can go out and get signatures,” said Turnbull. The number of signatures needed — all signatures need to come from the position district — is based on the filing fee. For instance, for a filing fee of $14.26, the candidate would need 15 signatures for the fee waiver.

“I know last year the governor waived the filing fees, but I haven’t heard anything about that this year,” said Turnbull.

Other council, hospital district elections

Hospital District 1

Position 1, 6-year regular term, incumbent Louie Figueroa

Position 4, incumbent Brent Meldrum

Hospital District 2

District 4, incumbent Andrew Bickar

District 5, incumbent Becky Walsh

Cosmopolis City Council

Position 4, incumbent Debra Moran

Position 5, incumbent Miles Wenzel

Elma City Council

Position 1, incumbent Pat Miller

Position 2, incumbent David Blackett

Position 3, incumbent Tom Boling

McCleary City Council

Position 3, incumbent Jaron Heller

Position 4, incumbent Christopher Miller

Position 5, Joy Iverson

Montesano City Council

Position 1, incumbent Clint Bryson

Position 2, incumbent Ian Cope

Position 3, incumbent Kim Cristobal

Position 6, incumbent Tyler Trimble

Oakville City Council

Position 3, incumbent Dan Martin

Position 4, incumbent Julie Zehe

Position 5, incumbent John Ruymann

Ocean Shores City Council

Position 5, incumbent Lisa Scott (short and full term)

Position 1, incumbent Susan Conniry

Position 7, incumbent Eric Noble

Westport City Council

Position 1, Melissa Huerta

Position 2, vacant

Position 3, incumbent Louis Summers

Position 4, incumbent Tom Aronson