The race for freshman state Rep. Steve Tharinger’s 24th District Position 2 seat could become a Sequim-based contest.
Republican Steve Gale of Sequim filed electronically Wednesday night for the two-year position held by Tharinger, a Sequim Democrat who is running for re-election.
Port Townsend attorney Michael Haas filed Thursday for the Jefferson County Superior Court position made open by the retirement of two-term Judge Craddock D. Verser.
Also running for the position are Peggy Ann Bierbaum and Keith Harper, both court commissioners.
No other new candidates filed for non-precinct-officer Jefferson County positions Thursday.
Today last day
Today is the last day of a weeklong filing period for the Aug. 7 primary and Nov. 6 general election.
Candidates for public office in Jefferson County can file for their positions from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Auditor’s Office in the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Washington St., Port Townsend.
The lot draw to determine ballot position will be at 4:30 p.m. today in the Auditor’s Office.
Ballots will be mailed to voters July 18 for the state’s top-two Aug. 7 primary.
Ballots will be mailed to voters Oct. 17 for the Nov. 6 general election.
Incumbents Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan, a Democrat, and Jefferson County Public Utility District Commissioner Wayne King have filed, along with former Port Townsend Mayor Geoff Masci, a Republican who is challenging Phil Johnson, incumbent county commissioner.
Johnson has said he will run but had not filed as of Thursday afternoon.
Gale did not return calls requesting comment Thursday.
‘Very interested’
He told county Republican Party Chairman Dick Pilling at the March 31 county Republican convention that he was “very interested” in challenging Tharinger, Pilling said Thursday.
“He’s a political newcomer,” said Pilling, adding that he hadn’t known Gale before the convention.
“He’s very much interested in making a difference,” Pilling said.
“He said the country is going the wrong way, government is too strong, we need to give some power back to the people — you know, music to my ears.”
Tharinger said Thursday he also hadn’t heard of Gale.
“I would have been very surprised if I wouldn’t have had an opponent,” Tharinger added.
“It’s just politics.”
State, regional hopefuls
The following state and regional candidates were listed late Wednesday afternoon and through 3 p.m. Thursday on the county government website at www.clallam.net, which is linked to the Washington Election Information System.
■ Douglas McQuaid and Scott Stafne of Seattle filed for the six-year Supreme Court Position 2 seat held by incumbent Susan Owens, a former Forks District Court 2 judge who is seeking re-election.
■ Republicans Doug Cloud and Bill Driscoll of Tacoma filed for the 6th Congressional District seat held by 18-term Democratic incumbent Norm Dicks, who is not running for re-election.
The district includes Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Mason and Pierce counties.
■ Republican Max Sampson of Black Diamond filed for the governor position being vacated by Democrat Chris Gregoire.
■ Democrats Craig Pridemore of Vancouver, Wash., and Mark Miloscia of Federal Way filed for the state auditor position held by Democrat Brian Sonntag, who is not running for re-election.
■ Don Hansler of Spanaway filed for the state superintendent of public instruction position held by Randy Dorn, who is running for re-election.
■ Republican Scott Reilly filed for the state insurance commissioner position held by Mike Kreidler, who has filed for re-election.
■ Brendan Williams of Olympia filed for the Division 2, District 2 state Court of Appeals position that covers Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Mason and Thurston counties.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.