They are the Unchallenged of Snohomish County.
Five state representatives, two state senators and the county prosecuting attorney.
All are incumbents, and each will waltz into another term in office because none has an opponent.
Barring an unexpected filing by a write-in candidate, these fortunate few can knock on doors these next months to thank residents rather than solicit them for a vote.
“I’m very surprised. I’ve never had a free ride like this before,” said state Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, who had raised $140,000 for a campaign he’ll never conduct.
Six of the unopposed are Democrats, cause for ruminating on whether Republican leaders conducted a lackluster recruitment effort.
Eric Earling, a Republican who says he one day will seek office in Snohomish County, cautioned against overanalyzing the blanks left on the ballot by his party.
The last redistricting changed the political demographics of legislative districts. Some areas are now simply safer havens for one party or the other. In those instances, it’s better to leave a seat unchallenged than offer up a sacrificial lamb.
That’s a bit of what Susan Kaftanski encountered as chairwoman of the Republican Party’s operation in the 38th District, which is anchored by Everett. No one stepped up to take on two Democratic lawmakers, Sen. Jean Berkey and Rep. Mike Sells.
“I don’t think it’s trouble. I get the sense that people are being a lot more careful,” she said. “We’re just regrouping.”
Democrats came up empty in two races. Republican Rep. Kirk Pearson represents a solid Republican region, and Snohomish County Democratic Chairman Mark Hintz said he wasn’t going to twist any arms to fill the ballot.
In the 10th District, encompassing Whidbey and Camano islands, freshman Republican Rep. Chris Strow faces no challenger.
That’s a bit unexpected. Two years ago, the seat was a hot commodity.
Democrats Nancy Conard and Gina Bull dueled in a primary. Conard advanced to battle Strow and Libertarian Tom Bronkema.
Strow won with 50.1 percent of the ballots cast, a small enough margin to invite an attempted unseating by Democrats. None came.
Snohomish County is not unique for having unopposed incumbents.
Statewide, candidates in 32 of 98 races for the House of Representatives and seven of 24 for the Senate face no opponent in the general elections. The majority are Democrats.
In five legislative districts, voters have no choice but the incumbents. This includes the 21st District, where Shin and Democratic Reps. Mary Helen Roberts and Brian Sullivan are bound for re-election without a fight.
Sullivan’s never received a re-election respite. He admitted a slight disappointment in having no competitor and surprise at how many Democrats enjoy similar good fates.
“If I had to venture a guess on why,” he began, “I’d say we’re on an upswing and they’re not.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield’s column on politics runs every Sunday. He can be reached at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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