“Democratic incumbent Karen Valenzuela and Republican challenger Patrick Beehler are headed to the November general election in the Thurston County Commissioner District No. 3 race.

Valenzuela polled 44.5 percent of the 10,219 votes counted election night, followed by Beehler at 36.5 percent…

The top two vote-getters earn a spot on the November general election ballot for a countywide race…

‘Im looking forward to the general election race,’ Valenzuela, 59, said. ‘Were supported by completely different interest groups.’…

Valenzuela predicted her environmental and growth management priorities will play well in the countywide race.

The former Tumwater city council member was appointed to the commission post in January 2009 by Gov. Chris Gregoire, filling the unexpired term of fellow Democrat Bob Macleod, who resigned for medical reasons.

She has spent the first eight months helping manage a major county budget crisis, clashing with Sheriff Dan Kimball over the Sheriffs Office budget, and promoting county policies to preserve prairie lands, return Capitol Lake to a Deschutes River estuary and combat climate change.

Beehler, a 40-year resident of Thurston County, is a professional surveyor with a history of civic and business-minded activities, including work as a former chairman of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and as a 10-year member of the Thurston County Historic Commission.

In his first run for political office, Beehler, 64, has strong backing from the Olympia Master Builders and has been critical of Valenzuelas handling of the county budget and rural land preservation tactics. ,” quoting The Olympian.

Meet the candidates:

District 3 County Commission Candidate Pat Beehler

“I have worked as a professional surveyor in Thurston County since 1978.

Thurston County currently has a severe budget crisis. As your county commissioner, I will examine every penny the county spends, cut all wasteful spending, and demand that we operate on a balanced and sustainable budget,” quoting Pat Beehler’s website.
Mr. Beehler will be having a meet & greet Tuesday, September 8th, 5:30pm 7:00pm
Bella Housa Club House, Yelm

Incumbent District 3 County Commissioner Candidate Karen Valenzuela

“Managing growth, so that we can afford to provide quality public services, is also important. I want to preserve our best agricultural lands, because having nearby farms that sell food in our local Farmers Markets (Tumwater, Olympia, and Lacey) is a form of self-reliance I consider crucial.
I have a five-point action plan that I am already at work on:

1. Bring sanity to the budget
2. Return to the letter and spirit of the growth management act
3. Confront climate change
4. Re-engage in Human Services partnerships
5. Work on inter-jurisdictional cooperation,”
from Karen Valenzuela’s website.
Ms. Valenzuela has informed the Yelm Community Blog she will be hosting a meet & greet session in Yelm soon.