Election filing deadline nears

If you’ve ever wanted to run for public office, this might be your year.

Two weeks before the candidate filing period deadline, only three of nine

offices have more than one candidate running. That means, if things don’t

change by July 26, six incumbents will be unopposed and, most likely,

reelected.

District Court Judge Stewart Andrew and attorney Frank LaSalata are running for the bench in this non-partisan race.

Detective Jeff Asher and Sheriff Bill Cumming are seeking the Democratic nomination for sheriff. There are no Republican candidates.

Former CIA official Herb Meyer of San Juan Island and former Congressional

aide Norma Smith are running for the Republican nomination for Congress.

State Rep. Kelly Barlean of Langley dropped out of the race Friday. Rep.

Rick Larsen is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

So far, unopposed candidates are County Clerk Mary Jean Cahail, Assessor

Paul Dossett, Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord, Commissioner Rhea Miller, Auditor Si Stephens and Treasurer Kathy Turnbull.

The winners in November will decide how properties are appraised and taxes

assessed, how county records are managed, what types of sentences are handed down for crimes, how county cases are defended, the quality of law

enforcement in local neighborhoods, how public funds are managed, and how

Lopez Island is represented. Also at stake is which party will control

Congress.

The winners will also share $690,210 in salaries. Members of Congress are

paid $150,000 a year. The county assessor gets $58,470; auditor, $58,470;

clerk, $58,470; commissioner, $60,480; District Court judge, $88,090;

prosecuting attorney, $86,920; sheriff, $70,840; treasurer, $58,470.

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