Two of the three candidates running for Morton City Council position No. 1 will advance from the Aug. 1 primary election to the general election in November.
The seat is currently held by Councilor Kevin Dunlap, who is not seeking re-election. Running for his place, in the order they appear on the ballot, are candidates Jason Sawyer, Dennis Morningstar and Aubrey Grantham.
The Chronicle tried to reach these candidates via email but did not get a response. Grantham was the only candidate without information in the voters pamphlet, and did not return a call from The Chronicle before press time on Friday. Grantham also did not have a candidate statement in the East County Journal, Morton’s weekly newspaper.
In the voters pamphlet, Sawyer reports having held no elected office prior. He has attended the University of Washington for a bachelor’s in architecture and is a small business owner with experience in contracting.
Sawyer serves on the board of directors for the Mineral School artist residency nonprofit and reports volunteering at food bank nonprofits in the pamphlet.
His campaign statement shares that, “as a local business and a property owner, I understand the significance of the decisions made by the council and the impact they can have on the lives of our fellow residents. If given the opportunity, I will work on behalf of our community, ensuring that our collective interests and concerns are heard.”
Morningstar also has not held public office before, but does currently serve on the City of Morton’s planning commission. He served in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic until retirement in 1998, according to the voters pamphlet. He attended two years of college after graduating high school. He lives in Morton to be near his children and grandchildren. He has served as a police auxiliary volunteer for three years.
“I want to see Morton continue to prosper and the people still be proud of where we live. I will listen to any and all concerns of the residents of Morton,” Morningstar wrote in his campaign statement. “I will do my best to fulfill the duties of this office.”
Ballots are due in the election by 8 p.m. on Tuesday either in the mail or in ballot drop boxes. Those turning in ballots through the mail are encouraged to enter the post office rather than leave their envelopes in drop boxes, because ballots postmarked after Aug. 1 will not be accepted.
To find the ballot drop box nearest you, visit https://elections.lewiscountywa.gov.
For questions about the election, visit the Lewis County Auditor’s Office at 351 NW North St., Chehalis or call 360-740-1164.
