Commissioner Largent to seek third term

Whitman County Commissioner Michael Largent announced Monday that he is running for a third term.

Largent, 55, who lives between Dusty and Colfax, represents District 3 which includes Colfax, Albion, Wilcox, Dusty, Hay, Hooper, LaCrosse, Endicott and parts of Pullman. He was chairman of the board last year, just turning the gavel over to Commissioner Art Swannack of Lamont on Monday.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Largent said, adding he also talked with his wife, Audrey, before making the decision to seek another term.

Largent was elected commissioner in 2006 to take the seat vacated by the retirement of Les Wigen. Largent defeated Nathan Weller of Pullman in the election.

“Working with this board is exciting,” he said Monday.

Although county budgets, specifically for the last two years, have been more than tight, Largent led the board in passing this year’s budget in spite of contention among the departments as they faced substantial budget cuts.

Largent said that budget cuts weren’t the most difficult issues he had to face.

“My biggest accomplishment is how we as a board approached the budget,” Largent said. “We began the budget process by being proactive instead of reactive, and we’ll continue to readjust it. That approach is the biggest step for the county.”

He said the most difficult issue he’s dealt with is the Hawkins development. Largent was the lone commissioner to vote against adding $6 million to the Hawkins agreement, making the county’s contribution $15 million, which former commissioners Greg Partch and Pat O’Neill approved. They lost their re-election bids partially because of that decision.

“It has been a real pleasure to work with the current board, and they have re-energized me in my role as a commissioner,” he said.

He noted prior to this year, board work was difficult because he found himself in a minority position.

Largent has four children: James, 27, Rebekah, 25, Austin, 17 and John, 7.