Want to run for public office? Filing week starts Monday
This story was updated May 11 to clarify the location of the drop box in which candidates can deposit declarations of candidacy at the Thurston County Courthouse.
Filing week for those who wish to run for public office kicks off Monday.
While the mechanics might look a little different than other years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the result will be the same: Voters will soon know who’s officially running for a slate of elected positions.
What’s up for grabs
All U.S. and state representatives are up for election along with about half of state senate seats. Statewide offices — from governor to attorney general to insurance commissioner — are also up for grabs this year. At the county level, some commissioner and judges seats are up for election.
So far, here’s how some Thurston County races already are shaping up:
10th Congressional District: Most of Thurston County is in the 10th Congressional District, currently represented by Denny Heck. (The 3rd District, currently represented by Jaime Herrera Beutler, covers a portion of Thurston that borders Lewis County.)
Heck announced in December he will not seek re-election, later announcing a run for state Lieutenant Governor, a post Cyrus Habib has announced he’ll vacate.
Even before filing week, the race for Heck’s seat is crowded: 5 Democrats and 7 Republicans have announced they are running, and front runners already have collected around $250,000 each.
22nd Legislative District: This district covers most of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and northern Thurston County. Voters will be considering candidates for seats currently held by Sen. Sam Hunt and Reps. Laurie Dolan and Beth Doglio.
With Doglio running for Congress, several candidates already have announced they’d like to step into her place. Democrats include Olympia City Council member Jessica Bateman, Glenda Breiler, Mary Ellen Biggerstaff, and Anthony Novack. Former Lacey Police Chief Dusty Pierpoint has announced he’ll run for the seat as a Republican.
2nd Legislative District: This district covers parts of Thurston and east Pierce County, and voters will decide who will fill the seat held by Sen. Randi Becker, who announced her retirement in March. Seats held by House Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox and Rep. Andrew Barkis, both Republicans, also are subject to election.
A handful of Republican candidates have launched campaigns to fill Becker’s seat, including Gina Blanchard-Reed, vice-chair of the Graham Fire and Rescue Board of Commissioners; Orting Mayor Joshua Penner; Eatonville school board member Ronda Litzenberger; Pierce County Council member Jim McCune; and Matthew Smith.
Matt Marshall, founder and leader of the Three Percenters group and an Eatonville School Board director, has announced a run for Wilcox’s seat.
Thurston County Commission: Several candidates have launched campaigns for the two spots on the Thurston County Commission subject to election.
The District 1 seat currently held by Commissioner John Hutchings, who is serving as chair of the board, has drawn a handful of challengers, including former District 3 Commissioner Bud Blake, Rory Summerson, Carolina Mejia, and C Davis.
Lacey City Council member Michael Steadman has long been campaigning as a Democrat for the District 2 seat held by Commissioner Gary Edwards.
Thurston County Superior Court: Terms for all eight Superior Court Judges expire this year. With Judge Anne Hirsch reportedly planning to retire, Olympia Municipal Court Judge Scott Ahlf and attorneys Sharonda Amamilo and Jonathan Sprouffske have announced they will run for the seat. Sprouffske currently serves as a commissioner pro tem with the court, according to a press release announcing his run.
The seat held by Public Utility Commissioner Chris Stearns in District 3 is also subject to election, as well as Precinct Committee Officers for both parties in all precincts.
How to file to run for office during a pandemic
With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the Secretary of State and Thurston County Auditor are encouraging candidates to file paperwork online at votewa.gov, if possible, to maintain safe social distancing. The web portal will be open 24 hours per day starting 9 a.m. Monday, according to the Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State’s Office also will accept paper forms by mail or in person at the State Elections Division at 520 Union Ave. SE in Olympia, where limited staff will be on site and facilitate drive-in filings, according to a department press release.
The Thurston County Auditor’s Office will stay closed, but is accepting declarations by mail. According to Auditor Mary Hall, filing forms also will be available outside Building 1 at the Thurston County Courthouse on Lakeridge Drive Southwest in Olympia. Once complete, forms can be deposited in a drop box located in the courtyard of the county courthouse, according to an auditor’s office spokesperson.
The deadline to file with the state is 4 p.m. Friday, May 15, for online and 5 p.m. for filing in-person or by mail. The county deadline is 4:30 p.m. Friday. After Friday’s deadline, the Thurston auditor’s office plans to livestream the random drawing that will determine the order candidates appear on ballots.
The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 4 and the general election is scheduled to take place Nov. 3.
This story was originally published May 10, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
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