Filing by candidates ended Friday with a few surprises emerging for the coming election season.
Four incumbent Democratic state legislators will battle opponents from their own party. David Hulbert, a former Superior Court judge, is out to get back on the bench.
And a second Republican has emerged to run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.
This year the primary is Sept. 19, and the general election is Nov. 7.
Voters in Snohomish and Island counties will elect four senators and 14 representatives for the state Legislature. All the incumbents filed for re-election.
Rep. Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace, has no Republican opponent. His opposition is Democrat Terry Bartlett Buholm, and the two will meet in the primary.
Buholm, who ran as a Libertarian in 2004, said his primary issue is changing the way property taxes are charged. He said taxes should be charged on the price of the home, not the market value.
All three Democratic lawmakers in the 32nd District face a similar intraparty challenge.
Rep. Maralyn Chase of Edmonds will face two Democrats from Shoreline, Maryn Wynne and Stacy Gillett, in the primary. The winner will go up against Shoreline Republican Norine Federow, who ran for the seat and lost in 1996.
Democrat Larry Owens filed to take on Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, and Chris Eggen enrolled against Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park.
Seven other state legislators will wake up today without opponents.
Because the legislators’ seats are partisan offices, state law gives the Democratic and Republican parties another week, until Aug. 4, to recruit opponents. If they are unsuccessful, the incumbents are home free this fall, barring a write-in campaign.
Those now without opposition are state Sens. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, and Paull Shin, D-Edmonds; and Reps. Mike Sells, D-Everett; Brian Sullivan, D-Mukilteo; Mary Helen Roberts, D-Lynnwood; Chris Strow, R-Clinton; and Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe.
Berkey was in the same position in 2004, and Republicans drummed up a foe that she easily defeated. If they fail this time, she said, she thinks it’s a reflection of her service.
“I hope that would mean people are satisfied with the way I’m representing them,” Berkey said.
Pearson is seeking a fourth term and said “it would be somewhat of a relief because campaigns are expensive.”
Snohomish County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hintz admitted that the party does not have a strong candidate and he won’t likely go twisting arms just to put a name on the ballot.
“Yes, I’m disappointed, but we will work to find a strong candidate for the next time,” he said.
Also to be chosen are a U.S. senator, two U.S. representatives, three state Supreme Court justices, 12 district court judges, one Snohomish County Superior Court judge, the Snohomish County prosecutor and a Snohomish County PUD commissioner.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is seeking re-election, and 14 others also enlisted for the job, including Democrat Hong Tran, Republican Mike McGavick, Libertarian Bruce Guthrie and Democrat Aaron Dixon.
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat, this week attracted a second GOP foe, Teri Moats of Arlington, for his 2nd District seat. Moats must defeat fellow Republican Doug Roulstone in the primary in order to advance.
Roulstone is heavily favored in the primary. He is backed by the local and state Republican parties and has been aided by Vice President Dick Cheney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
A retirement is igniting a hot race for Position 2 in the Everett Division of the Snohomish County District Court.
Judge Thomas Kelly is stepping down after 32 years and five people filed for the seat.
Former Superior Court Judge David Hulbert is one of them. He lost his seat to Eric Lucas in the 2004 election.
The other candidates are Tam Bui, Tim Geraghty, Lance Engle and Lorrie Towers.
In Island County, voters will fill eight county offices, including commissioner, prosecuting attorney and sheriff.
The sheriff’s race is one of the hottest. Three Republicans – Mark C. Brown, De Dennis and Lenny Marlborough – will face off in the September primary. The winner will take on former deputy sheriff Jay Wallace, a Democrat, who was fired from the job in April.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com
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