This election season, there’s been a lot of talk about change. As the campaign season gets under way locally, there will also undoubtedly be a lot of talk about choices.
In the county, there are four candidates for County Council, San Juan South; two for County Council, Friday Harbor; and five for County Council, Orcas West.
The salary for a County Council member is $34,000.
The primary election is Aug. 19; the general election is Nov. 4. To register to vote, you have until up to 30 days before the election to do so by mail, up to 15 days before the election to do it in person, Elections Supervisor Doris Schaller said Monday. Seventeen-year-olds can register to vote as long as they are 18 by election day.
This election is also an opportunity for San Juan residents to participate in something historic:
• For the first time since San Juan County was created in 1873, we will elect a Superior Court judge of our own; we formerly shared judges with Island County.
• County Councilman Kevin Ranker is vying to become the first San Juan resident elected to the state Senate. For the first time, the SalmonYoga party has a candidate for 40th District state Senate. (We’re not making that up).
• And the “top two” primary will get its first test; in Washington state, the top two vote-getters in any contest will advance to the general election regardless of political party affiliation.
Candidates for San Juan County Superior Court judge: Randy Gaylord, county prosecuting attorney; and John Linde, a longtime attorney and former District Court judge who was appointed to the Superior Court position by the governor when it was created last year.
Candidates for County Council, Friday Harbor: Fay Chaffee, a permit coordinator in the county Department of Community Development and Planning; and Howie Rosenfeld, councilman, who is seeking a second term.
Candidates for County Council, San Juan South: Lisa Guard, a former Friday Harbor business owner; Daniel Miller Jr., a landscaper and former candidate for state Legislature and County Commission; Gordy Petersen, who served on the county Board of Freeholders; and Lovel Pratt, a county planning commissioner.
For County Council, Orcas West: Jessica B. Bense, owner of a company specialzing in biofeedback devices; Richard Fralick, a former freeholder; Mindy Kayl, a former freeholder; Alan Lichter, councilman, who is seeking a second term, and Bruce Orchid, a former San Juan County Commission member.
For a list of candidates for all offices in Washington state, visit www.secstate.wa.gov.
In addition, registered Democrats and Republicans in San Juan County will vote for precinct committee officers to represent their political parties in each of the county’s 17 voting precincts. There are a total of 12 Republicans and eight Democrats running for precinct committee positions.
