Candidate filing week was lively this year on Whidbey Island, with some surprise candidates and a few races that appear destined to be hotly contested.
Seven candidates filed for the two Island County commissioner seats that will be on the ballot this year. Prior to this week, District 2 Commissioner Jill Johnson, a Republican, had no declared challengers. Now she has two rivals, including a rematch.
Phil Collier, owner of Hilltop Auto Service and Express Lube in Oak Harbor, filed to run as a Republican. Collier, Johnson and Jim Campbell ran against former Commissioner Angie Homola, a Democrat, in 2012. Johnson made it through the primary election and won the position.
In addition, attorney Christina Elliott is running for the position as a Democrat.
In the District 2 race, Commissioner Melanie Bacon is facing three candidates who announced previously. Longtime resident Steven Myres and Wanda Grone, the former county treasurer, filed to run as Republicans. Marie Shimada, manager of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, is running as a Democrat.
State Rep. Clyde Shavers, a Democrat, is facing two Republican rivals for his Legislative District 10 seat. Whidbey resident Carrie Kennedy and Arlington resident Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam filed for the position.
Coupeville resident Gary Wray, a Republican, filed to run against state Rep. Dave Paul, an Oak Harbor Democrat.
State Sen. Ron Muzzall, an Oak Harbor Republican, will face Janet St. Clair, a Democratic county commissioner and Camano Island resident, as well as Denny Sandberg, also a Democrat from Camano.
Seven candidates have filed for the five “initial, partial positions” on the proposed North Whidbey Pool, Park and Recreation Metro District. Voters will decide in the Aug. 6 primary whether to convert the Park and Rec District into a Metro District, which has more stable taxing authority.
Jaemee Witmer, a current member of the Park and Rec board, is running for Position 1. Brit Kraner, also a board member, is running for Position 2 against David Guy. Patricia Hardin filed for Position 3.
In addition, Andy Plumlee and Bill Larsen will compete for Position 4 while Melissa Hartmann filed for Position 5.
A Greenbank man is among seven candidates who filed to run against U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat and Everett resident who represents Congressional District 2. Leif Johnson filed as a Republican. His candidate website describes him as a manufacturing engineer and business owner.
Other candidates are Jason Call, a Marysville resident and Green Party candidate; Daniel Miller, a Friday Harbor Republican; Cody Hart, a Sedro-Woolley resident running as a MAGA Republican; Edwin Stickle, a Burlington resident and a Democrat; Devin Hermanson, a Seattle resident and Democrat; and Josh Binda, Lynwood resident running as a Democrat.
Oak Harbor resident Patrick Harman is among five candidates for lieutenant governor. He filed as a liberal Republican.
Island County Superior Court judges Christon Skinner and Carolyn Cliff filed for reelection unchallenged.
