Seven file for county slots

Six county incumbents filed for re-election Monday morning when filing week opened at the elections office.

Incumbents filing on Monday morning were Sheriff Brett Myers, Assessor Joe Reynolds, District Court Judge Doug Robinson, Prosecutor Denis Tracy, Commissioner Michael Largent and Auditor Eunice Coker.

Coroner Peter Martin, who also announced earlier plans to seek another term, said he filed Tuesday at the elections office.

Also filing was Michael Assenberg who announced last year he planned to challenge Sheriff Brett Myers for his office.

Two other incumbents, Treasurer Bob Lothspeich, and Superior Court Clerk Shirley Bafus, have announced they plan to retire at the end of the year.

Jill Whelchel Wahl, now manager of the court CASA program, filed on-line Tuesday for the court clerk's job.

Ninth District Rep. Joe Schmick has also filed for re-election.

Ninth District Rep. Susan Fagan of Pullman filed for re-election May 12 online. She will seek a third term.

No one filed

by mail

The two weeks when election filings could be done in advance by mail netted zero candidates, according to Debbie Hooper, supervisor of the elections office. Hooper had planned to number the mail-in filings and open them when the official election season started Monday.

This year candidates could download an application and mail it with a check for the filing fee. Hooper had planned to "stack" any advance mail applications for opening Monday.

In-person filing will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the elections office in Colfax through Friday. Candidates are required to pay filing fees with check or cash. Filing fees are one percent of the annual pay for the position sought.

Candidates can also file on-line at the Secretary of State's office, secstate.wa.gov, and submit a credit card. The state site will shut down Friday at 4 p.m.