Primary Election: Walla Walla County

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla County residents have two weeks to cast their votes in the current primary elec­tion. Ballots were mailed on Friday, July 30, and must be postmarked no later than Election Day, which is Tues­day, Aug. 17. County positions on the ballot include assessor, au­ditor, clerk, coroner, pros­ecuting attorney, sheriff and treasurer. Only county coro­ner and sheriff positions are contested.

Other offices up for elec­tion include U.S. Senator and District 5 U.S. Representa­tive in Congress; District 16 State Representative, posi­tions one and two. Supreme Court Justice positions one, five and six; Court of Ap­peals, Division 3, District 2; and Precinct Committee Officer. The general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Walla Walla County Sheriff

Three candidates, includ­ing two Walla Walla residents and one from Prescott, are in the running for Walla Walla County sheriff. All have filed as Republicans. Bill White, of Walla Walla, and Jim Romine, of Prescott, currently work as captains for the sheriff's of­fice. John Turner, of Walla Walla, works as a contract special investigator for the U.S. Department of Home­land

Security out of Walla Walla.

"For as long as I am sher­iff, I plan to hold quarterly community meetings from Burbank to Walla Walla to Waitsburg," Turner said. "I will literally sit down and have coffee with members of the community. How can you make decisions about Waits­burg from behind a desk in Walla Walla? You have to get out there." Turner's resume includes a law degree and experience as a police officer, a police attorney and a local farm owner.

Bill White has been work­ing for the Walla Walla Sher­iff's Office since 1979. He was promoted to captain of patrol and investigations 12 years ago. "The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office enjoys a rep­utation throughout the state for collaborating with other departments and agencies for the benefit of our citizens, and I am proud to have been a part of the team achieving this reputation," writes White on his campaign Web site.

Jim Romine has been with the county sheriff's department for 34 years. He was promoted to captain and named commander of the county jail in 1998.Romine graduated from Prescott High School in 1970 and was mayor of Prescott from 1994 to 1998.

In his campaign platform, Romine has pledged to make customer service and com­munication priorities for the sheriff's office.

"Deputies will not be 'in­vestigating' crimes via phone calls," he said. "They will be out in our communities, talking to citizens, learning their concerns and gaining intelligence."

Republican, Walla Walla

Age: 46 Family: Wife, Jacqui Turner; extensive family including many nieces and nephews in the community

Occupation: Contract spe­cial investigator for U.S. Dept of Homeland Security

Education: Bachelor of Arts in public administration with an emphasis on criminal justice, graduate certificate from Delinquent Control In­stitute,

and a law degree from Southwestern University School of Law

Previous Electoral Experi­ence: None

Republican, Prescott

Age: 58 Family: Wife, Virginia Romine, five grown children, six grandchildren

Occupation: Captain, Walla Walla County Sher­iff's Office Education: High School Diploma, some college

Previous Electoral Ex­perience: Mayor of Prescott 1994-1998, currently in third term as voting precinct com­mittee officer for Prescott precinct

Republican, Walla Walla

Age: 56 Family: Wife, Lora White; grown sons Matthew and William White

Occupation: Captain, Walla Walla County Sher­iff's Office Education: High School Diploma and many law en­forcement training certifi­cates

Previous Electoral Experi­ence: None