Elections Coordinator Patty Rosand became the second Clallam County employee to mount a campaign against an elected boss Tuesday, declaring her candidacy for the auditor’s position held by Cathleen McKeown.
In the race for sheriff, deputy Sgt. Bill Benedict, who announced last month that he would run against incumbent Joe Martin, filed Monday — as did Martin.
Also Monday, Cindy Kelly — currently a member of the Port Angeles School District board — filed candidacy for Clallam County Public Utility District commissioner from District 3.
Kelly wasn’t the only person who eventually may hold two elected positions.
John H. Miller, who said he will declare later this week for county community development director, filed Monday for a Charter Review Commission position in District 2, representing central Clallam County.
Five citizens from each of the three commissioners’ districts will be chosen a freeholders to review Clallam County’s home-rule charter and to recommend changes. Citizens will vote on the suggestions in November 2007.
Surprise to auditor
As for Rosand’s challenge to McKeown, the incumbent said she had no expectation that Rosand would oppose her.
“Not one word was said to me,” she said.
Nonetheless, McKeown added, “I think if anybody thinks they should do a better job, they should apply and let the voters decide. I think I’ve done a really good job.”
The atmosphere in the auditor’s department may be uncomfortable, but McKeown said, “We have a good office, and I don’t want anything to tear it apart. We’re professionals. We can run it that way.”
Electioneering will be taboo during business hours, she added.
“They need to keep their remarks to themselves. After 4:30 p.m., they can say anything they want to,” McKeown said.
Rosand said, “I’ve been encouraging other people to run for office for 19 years now, and I think it’s time I stood up and ran for office myself. I’m at a good point in my life.”
She has been a deputy auditor since 1987 and a state-certified election administrator since 1996.
Busy Mondays
Kelly, re-elected to the Port Angeles School Board last November, could face busy Mondays if she is elected to the PUD commission.
Utility commissioners meet Monday afternoons, and the School Board convenes on alternate Monday nights.
Kelly also is manager of the Dry Creek Water Association that serves the unincorporated area west of Port Angeles.
“I just have 17 years of water experience that I could bring to the PUD,” she said.
The question of her remaining on the School Board “will probably be decided when the election’s over,” she said.
Incumbent PUD Commissioner Will Purser did not file for re-election Monday and could not be reached for comment.
Candidates have until the end of office hours — 4:30 p.m. — Friday to file for office. In Clallam County, all officers except for county commissioner and prosecuting attorney are nonpartisan.
At the close of business Monday, here’s who had declared for which county offices:
* Assessor: Pamela Rushton, Port Angeles, incumbent.
* Auditor: Patty Rosand, Port Angeles, and Cathleen McKeown, Port Angeles, incumbent.
* Director, Department of Community Development: Rob Robertsen, Port Angeles, incumbent.
* Prosecuting attorney: No candidates.
* Sheriff: Bill Benedict, Sequim, and Joe Martin, Sequim, incumbent.
* County commissioner, District 3: Howard V. “Mike” Doherty, D-Port Angeles, incumbent.
* District Court 1 judge: Rick Porter, Port Angeles, incumbent.
* District Court 2 judge: No candidates.
* Public Utility District commissioner, District 3: Cindy Kelly, Port Angeles.
* Charter Review Commission, District 1: Jim Pickett, Sequim, and Nola Judd, Sequim.
* Charter Review Commission, District 2: Norma Turner, Port Angeles; Fred Norton, Port Angeles; and John H. Miller, Port Angeles.
* Charter Review Commission, District 3: No candidates.
State, federal filings
At the state and federal levels, Monday’s filings for offices that include the North Olympic Peninsula included:
* State Supreme Court justice, Position 2: Susan Owens, Olympia, and Stephen Johnson, Kent. Owens is a former Clallam County District Court judge in Forks.
* Supreme Court justice, Position 8: Gerry L. Alexander, Olympia.
* Supreme Court justice, Position 9: Tom Chambers, Seattle.
* Court of Appeals, Division 2, District 2, Position 2: David H. Armstrong, Port Orchard.
* State representative, District 24, Position 1: Jim Buck, R-Joyce, incumbent.
Democrat Kevin Van De Wege of Sequim, who is expected to run against him, did not file Monday.
* State representative, District 24, Position 2: Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, incumbent. The House majority leader has no announced opposition.
* U.S. Representative, District 6: Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, the veteran congressman, filed for re-election Monday morning.
* U.S. senator: William Edward Chovil, a Tacoma Republican; Bruce Guthrie, a Tacoma Libertarian, and Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson, a Seattle Democrat, filed Monday.
Republican Mike McGavick of Seattle and incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, are expected to file later this week.
The primaries take place Sept. 19.
Real-time candidate filings are posted on the county’s Internet site, www.clallam.net, click on “2006 Candidate Filings.”
For state and federal elections, the real-time site by the Secretary of State’s Office is at vote.wa.gov/elections/candidateswhohavefiled.aspx.
