• Editor’s note: There are no City of Yelm government positions up for election in 2022.
• Thurston County Auditor: Thurston County Candidate Filing Week Begins May 16

Election filing begins Monday. Here are the races that could make a difference this fall

From Shauna Sowersby, The Olympian:

For Thurston County voters:

“Longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat, is facing Republican challenger Tiffany Smiley for her seat. Although Murray has held firm in her position since 1993, a recent Crosscut/Elway poll showed only a slightly higher margin for her approval over Smiley, with 42 percent of polled voters saying they would vote for Murray. The Republican challenger polled at 39 percent.”

“The primary election will be on Aug. 2. The general election will be held Nov. 8.”

Read more

Two Challengers Join 2022 Race to Replace Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza

From Martín Bilbao, The Olympian via The Chronicle:

Two challengers aim to beat Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza in the 2022 election cycle and bring change to the office.

Snaza, an independent, has served as sheriff since 2011 and won reelection in 2014 and 2018 without facing any challengers.

This year he will face Tyler McCoy, also known as Tyler Turpin, a former deputy who has built a social media following around his now retired police dog, K9 Arlo. McCoy, a Democrat, registered for the race in June 2021 after what he described as internal pressure to leave the Sheriff’s Office.

Also in the race is Derek Sanders, a current deputy who previously worked at the Lacey Police Department. Sanders, an independent, registered for the race in March and describes himself as a transparent and accountable candidate.

Both have expressed desires to improve the culture of the Sheriff’s Office and better relations with the wider Thurston County community.

Read more about each candidate.