Richard Hild has made August’s top-two primary relevant in Jefferson County races.
On Friday, Hild identified himself as a Republican from Port Townsend and declared his candidacy for the County Commissioner District 2 position now held by David Sullivan, D-Cape George.
His declaration on the last day of the candidate filing period makes it a three way race among Sullivan, Hild and Sandy Hershelman of Port Hadlock, who filed as an Independent.
Hild was not available for comment on Friday or Saturday.
The three candidates will all be listed on the primary ballot on Aug. 19, with only the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election ballot on Nov. 4.
Under the state’s newly reinstated “top two” primary system, if more than two candidates vie for the same office, the two who receive the most votes will advance to the Nov. 4 general election — regardless of political party and even if one wins more than 50 percent of the vote.
Washington state voters approved the top-two primary in 2004, but political parties tied it up in court until March 18.
That’s when the state Supreme Court put it back into effect.
In total, eight candidates filed for Jefferson County races last week.
Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser will run unopposed in the fall.
Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend, county commissioner for District 1, will face challenger Dennis Shultz, a Republican from Port Townsend.
Jim Pivarnik of Port Townsend and Kenneth McMillen of Port Hadlock both seek the non-partisan District 2 commissioner seat on the Jefferson County Public Utility District board of directors.
The present commissioner, Kelly Hays, is not seeking re-election.
The list of candidates can be found at http://wei.secstate.wa.gov/jefferson/Pages/CandidateFilings.aspx.
