Familiar names run for office in Mid-Columbia

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer

Voters will see familiar names in a couple of races for state representative this fall as family members of two late lawmakers run for office.

Although state legislators usually are elected in even-numbered years, three seats are open in the Mid-Columbia this year because of the deaths of Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, and Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, and the promotion of Rep. Dan Newhouse to state agriculture director.

9th District

Hailey's widow, Pat Hailey, filed to run as a Republican for her late husband's 9th District seat on Monday, the first day candidates could file to run for office.

The 9th District covers Adams, Asotin, Garfield, Whitman and parts of Franklin and Spokane counties. Appointed incumbent Rep. Don Cox, R-Colfax, decided not to run for election to the job.

Darin Watkins of Palouse also has filed as a Republican. Watkins is a spokesman for the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a member of the Palouse School Board.

Susan Fagan, former government relations director for Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, has said she'll kick off her campaign for the seat on Wednesday. Fagan is the fundraising frontrunner, with $39,608, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.

Hailey has raised $21,110. Watkins has not declared his fundraising total.

Another possible contender is Lamont sheep rancher Arthur Swannack, who told the Public Disclosure Commission he's raised $4,200 in his campaign but has not yet filed as a candidate with the Secretary of State.

15th District

Rep. David Taylor, R-Moxee, is the sole candidate thus far for the seat vacated by Newhouse when he was tapped by Gov. Chris Gregoire to head the state's Agriculture Department.

Taylor was appointed March 30 and served less than a month before the Legislature adjourned April 27.

He said in a written statement he's received support from six of the other people who sought the position after Newhouse resigned.

"I was honored to receive the appointment ... and I'm humbled by the support I'm receiving throughout the district," he said.

Taylor has raised $1,600 in his campaign.

16th District

Rep. Laura Grant-Herriot, D-Walla Walla will seek election this fall after stepping into the shoes of her late father, Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, in February.

Grant-Herriot, who filed as Laura Grant, received the unanimous support of the 16th District Democratic precinct officers on May 30.

She faces opposition from Republican Terry R. Nealey, a Dayton lawyer who ran unsuccessfully against her father in November. Nealey has reported $22,467 in campaign contributions. Grant has not reported a dollar amount.

Other possible Republican challengers include Pasco City Councilman Matt Watkins, who said in February he'd seek the position; Walla Walla County Commissioner Greg Tompkins, who also announced his candidacy in February; and Kevin Young, a Dayton native and mid-level manager for the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Watkins has reported $3,160 in contributions. Tompkins has reported $23,478. Young has reported $4,054.

In addition to the partisan legislative races, hundreds of nonpartisan races are up for election throughout the Mid-Columbia, from city council members to port and fire district commissioners.

Kennewick

Five seats are open on the Kennewick City Council. Incumbents Marge Price and James Hempstead have filed for re-election. Mayor Tom Moak said Friday that he intends to run again.

Hempstead was unopposed on Monday, while Price is challenged for her seat by Don Britain, a social worker who ran unsuccessfully for the Kennewick School Board in 2007.

Christopher Smart was the sole candidate for Position 7, Ward 3 on Monday.

Pasco

Mayor Joyce Olson and Councilmen Bob Hoffman and Tom Larsen were unopposed in their re-election bids Monday.

In the school district, Board President Saul Martinez, Vice President Sherry Lancon and board member William Leggett were unopposed for another four-year term each.

Richland

Mayor John Fox, Councilwoman Rita Mazur and Councilman David Rose were unopposed Monday, as were Richland School District Board President Rick Jansons and Vice President Heather Cleary.

West Richland

Mayor Dale Jackson is opposed by former interim city administrator and one-time Councilwoman Donna Noski.

Noski resigned as interim city administrator in 2008 when she disagreed with Jackson about her salary and other employment issues.

Noski said when she announced her candidacy in March that it had nothing to do with her resignation.

The filing period ends Friday. Candidates can file paperwork online, in person or by mail.

For offices that span more than one county -- such as the state representatives -- a declaration of candidacy must be filed with the Secretary of State's office in Olympia.

Other office seekers should file with their local county auditor.

The filing fee is 1 percent of a position's annual salary, if the salary exceeds $1,000.

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Tuesday, Jun. 02, 2009

Familiar names run for office in Mid-Columbia

By Michelle Dupler, Herald staff writer