Political veterans and novices filed Tuesday for a slew of local, state and federal offices in the coming elections.
Incumbent state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, filed to run for a fourth term in the 10th Legislative District, which encompasses all of Island County and parts of Skagit and Snohomish counties.
Within hours, former Mount Vernon City Councilwoman April Axthelm, a Republican, signed up to challenge Haugen.
Also in the 10th District, two candidates entered the race to succeed retiring state Rep. Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor. Republican Chris Strow of Clinton and Democrat Gina Bull of Oak Harbor turned in their candidacy papers.
As expected, Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, filed for another term.
Two newcomers filed in the 21st District for the position that Rep. Mike Cooper, D-Edmonds, is vacating as he seeks higher office. Democrat Mary Helen Roberts and Republican Roger Wilson, both of Edmonds, signed up, and if no one else enters the race they will face off in November’s general election.
Meanwhile, Cooper said he would file today for commissioner of public lands to challenge incumbent Doug Sutherland, a Republican.
In the 39th District, incumbent Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, filed for a third term representing Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
A short time later, Democratic candidate Pedro Gonzales filed to challenge Pearson. Gonzales, a native of Arlington who works at Catholic cemeteries run by the Archdiocese of Seattle, said he will focus on economic and transportation issues. He also said he supports a NASCAR track proposed for Snohomish County.
Three Republicans filed Tuesday with hopes of removing incumbent Democrats from the Legislature in November.
Kim Halvorson of Marysville filed in the 38th District for the seat now held by Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip; Jeff Merrill of Bothell filed in the 1st District for the position held by Rep. Al O’Brien, D-Bothell; and Margaret Wiggens of Bothell filed in the 32nd District for the seat held by Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park.
Also filing Tuesday were Democrat Mike Sells, who is mounting a primary challenge in the 38th District to Rep. David Simpson, D-Everett, and Libertarian Terry Bartlett Buholm of Bothell, who is seeking O’Brien’s job.
In a nonpartisan judicial race, Eric Lucas of Everett filed for Position 8 on Snohomish County Superior Court. That job is held by David Hulbert.
In a race for national office, Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair, a Republican, filed to run in the 2nd Congressional District. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., of Everett is the current officeholder.
Candidate filings continue through 5 p.m. Friday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
