Six seek to succeed Reed as secretary of state

OLYMPIA – Some political races began filling quickly on the first day for candidates to file for office and pay their fees.

The statewide race attracting the most attention on Monday was the one that oversees elections, secretary of state. Incumbent Sam Reed is retiring, and six candidates already want to take his place.

First in the blocks, and perhaps the first person to file this morning at 8 a.m., was Sam Wright, of Olympia, who lists his preference as the Human Rights Party. Perhaps more recognizable to a larger chunk of the state’s electorate is former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. State Sen. Jim Kastama also wants that job, as do Kathleen Drew, a former state senator, Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman, and Karen Murray, of Quincy, who lists the Constitution Party as her preference.

The top of the ballot for the Aug. 7 primary, the U.S. Senate race, had three names before lunchtime. Incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell and Republican state Sen. Mike Baumgartner of Spokane’s 6th Legislative District had already announced they were candidates.

But filing first for that office was a previously unheralded candidate, Chuck Jackson, of Snohomish. A regular but unsuccessful candidate for several offices in previous elections, he listed Republican as his party preference, and scaryreality.com as his email provider.

In Spokane-area races, County Treasurer Rob Chase filed for the county commissioner seat being vacated by fellow Republican Mark Richard. He was joined by former television broadcaster Daryl Romeyn.

Filing closes at the end of the business day Friday, which can vary from county to county. Candidates file for a spot in the state’s Top Two primary, in which the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of party. Candidates list a party preference, but that doesn’t mean they have the party’s support or endorsement.

Here’s a partial list of the candidates who have filed for offices on the Spokane-area ballots, and their listed party preference:

U.S. Representative: Rich Cowan, Democrat

Lt. Governor: Brad Owen, Democrat; Glenn Anderson, Indep Republican

Secretary of State: Sam Wright, Human Rights Party; Jim Kastama, Kathleen Drew and Greg Nickels, Democrat; Karen Murray, Constitution; Kim Wyman, Republican

State Auditor: James Watkins, Republican

Attorney General: Reagan Dunn, Republican

Commissioner of Public Lands: Peter J. Goldmark, Democrat

Superintendent of Public Instruction: Randy I. Dorn (nonpartisan office)

Insurance Commissioner: Mike Kreidler, Democrat

Legislative District 3

State Senator: Nancy McLaughlin, Republican; Andy Billig, Democrat

State Representative Position 1: Bob Apple, Democrat

State Representative Position 2: Timm Ormsby, Democrat

Legislative District 4

State Senator: Mike Padden, Republican

State Representative Position 1: Larry Crouse, Republican

Legislative District 6

State Representative Position 1: Wayne Kyle Spitzer, Democrat

State Representative Position 2: Larry Keller and Jeff Holy, Republican; Dennis Dellwo, Democrat

Legislative District 7

State Representative Position 1: Shelly Short, Republican

Spokane County

Commissioner District 1: Todd Mielke, Republican

Commissioner District 2: Rob Chase, Republican; Daryl Romeyn, Democrat