Tired of partisan politics? Want to make a difference? Then run for office. But you need to hurry up and do it today.
Filing week ends May 10, and there are many important positions up for election.
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, 6th District, has already said he won’t run. If interested, the filing fee is $1,740 for the two-year term in Washington, D.C. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s 6-year term also is over, with the same filing fee.
All of the state offices’ four-year terms also are up for election, including governor, where incumbent Jay Inslee also has said he won’t run. That filing fee is $1,982.57. Other offices are: Lt. governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, lands commissioner, schools superintendent and insurance commissioner. Filing fees are from $1,241.27 to $1,875.43.
State lawmaker spots also are up for election. In District 23, there are spots held by state Sen. Drew Hansen and state Reps. Tara Simmons and Greg Nance. Fees for these offices are $601.91. All of the previously mentioned officeholders are Democrats, but the following four are Republicans. In District 26, there are Reps. Spencer Hutchins and Michelle Caldier. In District 35 there’s Daniel Griffey and Travis Couture.
Two Kitsap County commissioner posts also are up for election for a filing fee of $1,566.79. Holding the posts now in District 1 are Christine Rolfes and in District 2 Charlotte Garrido.
Three spots also are open on the state Supreme Court. The filing fee for the six-year terms are $2,398.68. An appeals court spot also is up for $2,283.38.
The eight Superior Court judge spots are open in Kitsap County with a filing fee for $2,173.91. A Public Utility District spot is also up for $388.56. There are also openings for precinct committee officer.
For federal, state and judicial offices file with the Secretary of State Office in Olympia at www.sos.wa.gov/elections. For county offices file with the Kitsap County Auditor’s Office at www.kitsap.gov/auditor.
If three or more candidates file there will be a primary Aug. 6 with the top two advancing to the general election. If two or fewer file the race goes straight to the general election Nov. 5.
