Here are the candidates you’ll be choosing from in this fall’s local elections

Excerpt from The Olympian:

Most Thurston County voters will have a long list of candidates to choose from in the upcoming 2023 elections. A total of 132 people filed papers indicating their intentions to run by the Friday, May 19, deadline.

Part of what’s driving interest in this odd-year election is the expanded boards of commissioners for Thurston County and the Port of Olympia. Voters must choose two new elected officials to represent them on those commissions, which are growing from three members to five.

Otherwise, the elections are primarily for city councils, school boards and other smaller public bodies. The primary election is Aug. 1, and the general election is Nov. 7.

Thurston County

Two candidates will vy for Position 4 on the Thurston County Board of Commissioner, and four will compete for Position 5.

Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier, a Democrat, will face Vivian Eason, an independent, in the Position 4 general election. Eason ran unsuccessfully for County Board in 2022.

Lacey City Council member Michael Steadman, a Democrat, will face Sarah Morris, an independent, Terry S. Ballard, who has no party preference, and Emily Clouse, another Democrat, in the August primary for Position 5.

Port of Olympia

Twelve people have signed up to run for Port of Olympia Commission, forcing a primary in all three races. There are three seats available, two that were just added and the District 1 seat being vacated by Joe Downing. Port races are non-partisan positions.

In the District 1 race, former commissioner Bill McGregor will face Jasmine Vasavada and Skye Campbell-Ragsdale. In the new District 4, Maggie Sanders, Rose Chiu Gundersen, Joanna Manson and Bill Moomau will face off. In the new District 5, Ann R. Howie, Nick Adams, Troy Kirby, Martin McElliott and Sarah Tonge will compete.

Town of Rainier

Three people are running for Position 3 — Damion Green, Ryan Roth and Kirby McDonald — forcing a primary in that race.

Ron Kemp is running unopposed for Position 4.

City of Yelm

All three open City Council positions have contested races.

In Position 1, Stephanie Kangiser will face Tracey Wood.

• Editor’s note: After not defending his seat 2 years ago, why does Tracey Wood want back onto the council now? Does he now have his sights on running for mayor, as well? After all, Wood’s wife ran for mayor against Joe DePinto in 2021 when Wood himself bowed out from the council. What ARE Wood’s motives???
• Stay tuned.

In Position 2, Jerry Toompas will face Joseph Dale Richardson and Shaun M. Keane in a primary.

For Position 6, Trevor Palmer and Ashley Lea Brooks will compete.