Candidate field grows as filing week advances

New and familiar names appeared in the growing list of candidates for state and local public office.

Filing week is May 16 to 20 for a variety of posts in Washington state and on the Benton and Franklin county commissions.

Winners of the Aug. 2 Washington primary will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.

Here are the new filings as of Wednesday afternoon.

Rep. Brad Klippert, a Kennewick Republican, filed for reelection to Position 1 representing the 8th Legislative District. Rick Jansons of the Richland School Board is running as a Republican to challenge him.

Ryan Knight Cooper, a Kennewick Libertarian, is also challenging Klippert. Cooper owns a business that sells subscriptions to the public for newspapers, including the Tri-City Herald. He said he is a former Republican running because he wants better representation.

Rep. Larry Haler, a Richland Republican, filed for reelection to represent Position 2 in the 8th Legislative District. He is being challenged by Steve Simmons, co-owner of the Country Gentleman restaurant and catering business. The Republican candidate announced his candidacy in April.

In Franklin County, Commissioner Brad Peck filed for reelection to Position 1 as a Republican. Franklin County Auditor Matt Beaton has filed to run against him as a Republican. Franklin County Clerk Mike Killian has said he will seek the job as well, but had not filed as of Wednesday afternoon.

For a complete list of candidates, visit the Benton County Elections site, bit.ly/BentonCandidates, and the Franklin County Elections site, bit.ly/FranklinCandidates.

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Candidate field grows as filing week advances."