PORT ANGELES — Bruce Erlwein, who had announced his intention to run for Port Angeles City Council earlier this month, won’t file for the Nov. 7 general election this week.
He can’t.
Erlwein, 35, who lives on Mount Pleasant Road east of downtown Port Angeles, said last week he did not realize when he publicized his electoral intentions that he lives a half-mile south of city limits.
That makes him ineligible for the Position 3 seat being vacated by Mayor Patrick Downie, who is not running for re-election.
It also leaves Port Angeles lawyer Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin, 37, who had already announced for the position, without an announced opponent as of noon Saturday.
Candidate filing week begins Monday and ends Friday.
Erlwein is a Port Angeles High School graduate who operates Port Angeles Underground and Heritage Tours.
He said he thought that the section of state law that says “residence and voting within the limits of any territory which has been included in, annexed to, or consolidated with such city is construed to have been residence within the city” applied to him.
“The way the RCW [Revised Code of Washington] is written, I thought it would be OK, and it turns out it’s not,” he said.
“As much as I hate it, I’m a guy with integrity with where my address is.
“I’d rather nip it in the bud now than wait till later.”
Four of seven four-year seats are up for election on the city council.
Former Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jim Moran has said he intends to run for the Position 1 seat held by Brad Collins, who is not running for re-election.
Business co-owner Todd Negus announced his intention to run against Moran late Friday.
Port Angeles business owner Jake Oppelt has announced his intention to run for the Position 2 seat held by incumbent Lee Whetham, who has said he intends to run for re-election.
Financial adviser Travis Berglund is running for the Position 4 seat held by Dan Gase, who also is not running for re-election.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.