Most Thurston County voters will have a long list of candidates to choose from in the upcoming 2023 elections. A total of 132 people filed papers indicating their intentions to run by the Friday, May 19, deadline.
Part of what's driving interest in this odd-year election is the expanded boards of commissioners for Thurston County and the Port of Olympia. Voters must choose two new elected officials to represent them on those commissions, which are growing from three members to five.
Otherwise, the elections are primarily for city councils, school boards and other smaller public bodies. The primary election is Aug. 1, and the general election is Nov. 7.
In races with more than two candidates, the top two voter-getters in the primary will advance to the general election. Only the County Commission races are partisan races, but even in those races, the top two candidates will advance, regardless of party affiliation.
Here's how the contested races had shaped up as of Friday.
Thurston County
Two candidates will compete for Position 4 on the Thurston County Board of Commissioners and four will compete for Position 5.
Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier, a Democrat, will face Vivian Eason, an independent, in the Position 4 general election. Eason ran unsuccessfully for County Board in 2022.
Lacey City Council member Michael Steadman, a Democrat, will face Sarah Morris, an independent, Terry S. Ballard, who has no party preference, and Emily Clouse, another Democrat, in the August primary for Position 5.
Port of Olympia
Twelve people have signed up to run for Port of Olympia Commission, forcing a primary in all three races. There are three seats available, two that were just added and the District 1 seat being vacated by Joe Downing. Port races are non-partisan positions.
In the District 1 race, former commissioner Bill McGregor will face Jasmine Vasavada and Skye Campbell-Ragsdale.
In the new District 4, Maggie Sanders, Rose Chiu Gundersen, Joanna Manson and Bill Moomau will face off.
In the new District 5, Ann R. Howie, Nick Adams, Troy Kirby, Martin McElliott and Sarah Tonge will compete.
City of Tenino
With Mayor Fournier seeking a County Board seat, two other candidates filed to run for his post: David Watterson and Linda Gotovac.
Elaine Klamn is running unopposed for Position 2.
Town of Rainier
Three people are running for Position 3 — Damion Green, Ryan Roth and Kirby McDonald — forcing a primary in that race.
Ron Kemp is running unopposed for Position 4.
Tenino School District
In District 2, Ryan T. Hilton will face off with Jennifer Johnson.
Adam Barr and Jessica Reeves-Rush are running unopposed.
Rainier School District
In District 1, Amanda Siemandel and Aaron Lang will face off.
In District 2, Jerry F. Sprouffske and Jon Palmer will compete.
In District 3, Dana Morgan Spivey will run against Brian Hackethal.
Rochester School District
In District 2, Grant Rodeheaver and Wava Garcia will faceoff.
In District 3, Penelope Mena and Susie Hawes will compete.
In District 4, James Neil Turner will face Michael L. Morrow.
