EVERETT — One state lawmaker is on course to win re-election without a ballot battle.
So, too, is the man seeking to become the next Snohomish County prosecutor.
And the former leader of the state Republican Party is taking on one of the state’s most powerful Democrats in Congress.
Those story lines emerged Friday as the filing period for this year’s political races came to a close.
All week people had the chance to enter any of 38 contests for local, state, federal and judicial offices. The primary is Aug. 7. In any race with three or more candidates, the two who get the most votes in the primary will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.
When filing ended, incumbent Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, had no opponent. Unless a write-in candidate surfaces, he will win an eighth term in the 38th Legislative District.
Adam Cornell, a deputy county prosecutor, is in a similar position. He is looking to succeed his retiring boss, Mark Roe, and was the only one to file for the seat.
One of the biggest surprises Friday came in the already crowded contest for a seat in the U.S. senate.
Incumbent Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell is seeking a fourth term and drew 29 opponents including Susan Hutchison, the former chairwoman of the Washington State Republican Party.
Hutchison, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, stepped down from party leadership in January. There were rumors at the time she might land a post with the Trump administration. She enters this race as Cantwell’s most politically connected opponent and early favorite to advance out of the primary.
Of the other 28 challengers, four hail from Snohomish County — Mike Luke of Lynnwood, a Libertarian who ran for the same office in 2016; James Robert Deal, of Lynnwood, a Green who ran for governor in 2016 and Snohomish County executive in 2014; Tim Owen, of Mukilteo, a Republican, and George Kalberer, of Everett, a Democrat.
Meanwhile, aside from Sells’ seat, voters in Snohomish County will be choosing, or helping to choose, 13 members of the state House and another five in the state Senate. There are some intriguing match-ups in the primary.
In the 1st Legislative District, Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland, is facing two opponents — Debra Blodgett, of Snohomish, who is the chairwoman of the county Republican Party, and Matt Seymour, of Bothell, a Libertarian. The district encompasses communities in south Snohomish and north King counties.
In the 21st District, Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, will be up against three challengers: Riaz Khan, a Democrat from Mukilteo, Mario Lionel Lotmore, a Republican from Lynnwood and Scott West, an independent from Edmonds. Khan might be the most familiar name, having run unsuccessfully for City Council in 2015 and 2017, and for a state legislative seat in 2016.
There will be much attention given to races in the 39th District in the northeast region of Snohomish County.
Republicans Randy Hayden, of Darrington, and Robert Sutherland, of Monroe, and Democrat Ivan Lewis are competing to succeed retiring House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish.
And, in the same district, state Sen. Keith Waggoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, is up against four opponents as he tries to retain the seat to which he was appointed in January. He will face former state lawmaker Elizabeth Scott, a Republican from Monroe; Claus Joens, a Democrat from Marblemount; and Jamal Rabieh, an independent from Burlington.
In south Snohomish County, Democrat Jesse Salomon, deputy mayor of Shoreline, is making an aggressive bid against incumbent Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Lynnwood. James Wood, a Republican from Edmonds, also filed.
In Everett, City Councilwoman Ethel McNeal will be trying to keep the seat to which she was appointed in January. She is in the position formerly held by Mayor Cassie Franklin. Liz Vogeli and Tyler Rourke, who was beat out by McNeal for the appointment, filed to run.
Two Snohomish Public Utility District commissioners are facing competition for their seats.
District 1 Commissioner Sid Logan, of Arlington, is being challenged by Sam Buchanan, of Arlington, Bruce King, of Everett, who ran for the seat in 2014, and Mary Rollins, of Everett.
District 2 Commissioner Kathy Vaughn, of Lynnwood, has four opponents. They are Rebecca Wolfe, of Edmonds, Maggie Mae, of Lynnwood, Kaili Chickering, of Lynnwood; and David Chan, of Everett.
Three members of the U.S. House of Representatives who represent Snohomish County — Democratic Reps. Rick Larsen, of Everett, Suzan DelBene, of Medina, and Pramila Jayapal, of Seattle — face opponents in their bid for re-election.
DelBene, who serves in the 1st Congressional District, has four challengers: Jeffrey Beeler of Sultan, a Republican and member of the City Council; Scott Stafne, of Arlington, a Republican who in 2016 ran for this seat as a Libertarian; and two men who are not stating a party preference, Adam Pilskog, of Monroe and Robert Mair, of Redmond.
Larsen, who serves in the 2nd Congressional District, has five opponents: Brian Luke, of Lynnwood, a Libertarian who ran for this seat in 2016; Collin Richard Carlson, of Marysville, a Democrat; Gary Franco, of Lopez Island, a farmer running as an independent; Stonewall Jackson Bird, of Bellingham, a Green; and Uncle Mover, of Mill Creek, also known as Mike the Mover, who is running as “moderate GOP” party. He last ran for U.S. Senate in 2016.
Jayapal, who serves in the 7th Congressional District, has one challenger, Republican Craig Keller, of Seattle. Keller ran for this seat in 2014 and 2016 as well.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
