Candidate filing week in Island County had a few surprises that may make for a lively election season.
The filing week ended at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 20. As of press time Friday at noon, 15 candidates filed for the nine Island County positions on the ballot. The story will be updated online at www.whidbeynewstimes.com if new candidates file Friday afternoon.
A former county undersheriff and a former Navy pilot will vie for the Island County assessor position. Kelly Mauck, who was undersheriff under Sheriff Mark Brown, is a Camano Island resident while Theodore Kubisiak, who worked part-time in the Assessor’s Office as an appraiser, lives in Oak Harbor. Mauck is a Republican while Kubisiak stated no party preference.
Mary Engle resigned as assessor last year to become the county planning director. The commissioners appointed Bernie Upchurch to the position, but he chose not to run.
Deputy Lane Campbell is seeking a rematch with Sheriff Rick Felici. Both men, who are Republicans, ran for sheriff in 2018. Felici won the election with 20,677 votes to Campbell’s 15,085.
The county clerk and auditor will be contested races for the first time in years.
Clerk Debra Van Pelt, a Democrat, will face Coupeville resident Dierdre Butler. She was previously a chief deputy clerk in the office, according to the candidate website.
Auditor Sheilah Crider, a Republican, is being challenged by Coupeville resident Barbara Fuller, a Democrat.
Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair, a Democrat representing District 3, will face Republicans Rick Hannold and Tim Hazelo in the primary election. Hannold was a county commissioner but lost to St. Clair in the 2018 election. St. Clair is a Camano Island resident while the challengers live on North Whidbey.
Anthony Lam, a Democrat and Coupeville resident, and Richard MacQuarrie, a Camano Republican, are running for Island County treasurer. Longtime Treasurer Wanda Grone is retiring at the end of the year. Lam is currently chief deputy in the treasurer’s office and MacQuarrie is a business development manager for an ice cream and frozen food distributor.
Shantel Porter, the current deputy coroner, filed to replace her boss, who isn’t seeking reelection. Coroner Robert Bishop could not be reached for comment.
In addition, Prosecutor Greg Banks and District Court Judge Bill Hawkins are running unopposed.
State Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, will face two Republican challengers in the primary election. Oak Harbor resident Karen Lesetmoe and Stanwood resident Ryan Campbell filed for the position.
Rep. Greg Gilday, R-Stanwood, will face Oak Harbor resident Clyde Shavers, a veteran, attorney and community advocate.
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, will face a progressive Democrat, four Republicans, a “MAGA Republican” and a candidate with no party preference in the primary. Marysville resident Jason Call is running as a Democrat. The Republican candidates are Oak Harbor resident Carrie Kennedy, Greenbank resident Leif Johnson, Everett resident Bill Wheeler and Mukilteo resident Dan Matthews. Sedro Woolley resident Cody Hart filed as a MAGA Republican. Doug “Yoshe” Revelle of Bellingham is running without a party.
