Primary Ballots in Voters’ Hands

WAITSBURG - Primary election ballots have been mailed to voters in Walla Walla and Columbia Counties. The voting deadline is August 5.

In Washington's "top-two" primary system, the top two vote-getters in each of the contested races will move on to the general election.

Most of the local races in the two counties are uncontested, but Walla Walla County voters will face a choice of three candidates in county-wide races for sheriff and coroner. Three candidates have also filed for the District 3 position for the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners. For the primary, that race will only appear on the ballot for voters in that district.

For sheriff, incumbent John Turner is facing challenges from two deputies in his department: Barry Blackman and Tom Cooper. Incumbent Coroner Richard Greenberg is fac- ing challenges from former Coroner Frank Brown and College Place chiropractor Derek Hayden.

Walla Walla County Auditor Karen Martin is facing challenger Mark Spinks.

All of Columbia County's local races are uncontested, except for the District 3 Board of Commissioners position. In Columbia County, Merle Jackson and Dain Nysoe filed for the position in May, and theirs are the only names on the ballot. Earlier this month, Dayton resident Dwight Richter filed as a write-in candidate for that position.

In District 16 state legislative races, Position 1 incumbent Maureen Walsh is facing a challenge from Mary Ruth Edwards, a candidate she beat two years ago. For Position 2, incumbent Terry Nealey, of Dayton, was running unopposed, but a late write-in challenge was entered by Democrat Frank Blair.

Three candidates have filed to challenge Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her seat in Congress. They include fellow Republican Tom Horne, Democrat Joe Pakootas and independent Dave Wilson.