Election filing week began in earnest Monday, with candidates turning out to either maintain seats or break into government.
This year’s ballot will be loaded with city council, school board and port commission seats, along with other smaller races for cemetery or water district positions.
As of Monday afternoon, 40 candidates had filed for 39 offices, according to the Lewis County Auditor’s Office. That activity is expected to continue throughout the week, as filing will be allowed through Friday, May 21.
So far, Centralia City Council candidates include incumbents Max Vogt, Cameron McGee and Mark Westley in addition to newcomer Leah Daarud. None had opponents as of Monday afternoon.
For the Chehalis City Council, former councilor Terry Harris has filed for council position one at-large, and he has company in the form of Kate Olson, who is also pursuing the position. Meanwhile, Councilor Bob Spahr has filed for council position three at-large.
Kyle Markstrom, who was appointed to the Port of Centralia Commission, has filed to retain his seat, while Paul Ericson is looking for a spot on the Chehalis Port Commission.
Former Centralia mayor Tim Browning is pursuing a seat on the Centralia School Board for director position five, the only candidate for that government body as of Monday afternoon.
The Chehalis School Board had drawn two candidates, Kelsi Hamilton for director district three and Colleen State for director district 4.
Winlock Mayor Brandon Svenson has filed to maintain his position while Marty Poirrier II and Jeramy Allman have filed as candidates for council seats.
For a full list of candidates, visit https://bit.ly/3wemyR2.
Here are some addition candidates as of Monday:
Morton City Council
• Jeanette Chamberlain, council position four
Tenino City Council
• Linda Gotovac, council position one
Toledo City Council
• Michelle (Shelly) Thomas, council position three
• Gary Reboin, council position five
Vader City Council
• Marie Ann MacIntosh, council position one
• Tom Shows, mayor
Pe Ell School Board
• Bryan King, director district two
White Pass School Board
• Sandra Freitas, director district four
Fire District 16 — Doty and Dryad
• Bill Bush, commissioner position one
• Greg Elliott, commissioner position two
Riverside Fire Authority Commission
• Joseph Dolezal, commissioner position one
• Mike Tomasheck, commissioner position one
Online filing will be available until 4 p.m. on Friday, according to the Lewis County Auditor’s Office. In order to file, candidates will need to fill out a declaration of candidacy form, pay the filing fee and provide their voters’ guide statement and photo.
Candidate filing can also be done by mail and in-person. Mailed declarations must be received by the Lewis County Auditor’s Office by 4:30 p.m. Friday.
The deadline to withdraw from the 2021 primary and general elections is 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 24.
The top two candidates in each race in the primary election in August will move on to the general election.
