Running for public office?

Candidate Filing Week is May 17-21, and the Office of the Secretary of State is joining county election offices across Washington to accept applications for public office, including about 30 local positions in the Grand Coulee Dam area.

“People who run for public office and serve as an elected official have an opportunity to help shape the future of our state, counties, and communities,” said Secretary of State Kim Wyman. “Most of these offices up for election this year are local and have the greatest impact on people’s daily lives.”

There are more than 3,200 county offices up for election in the state this year, including over 100 mayor and 500 fire district positions, and many others in city and county councils, and port, hospital, cemetery, airport, water, sewer, and park and recreation districts.

People interested in running for a local or county office may file with the county elections office in which the position resides. For filing instructions, candidates should contact their respective county elections office.

Applicants are encouraged to file online beginning 9 a.m. Monday, May 17, until 4 p.m. Friday, May 21. Filing fees, if applicable, must be submitted at the time of filing.

Applicants may also download a Declaration of Candidacy form.

Positions up for election this year for local councils, boards

Voters will decide on about 30 positions up for election in the 2021 elections for local town councils, school boards, and more. Candidate filings of intent to run for these offices are open from May 17-21.

Grand Coulee

Grand Coulee has three seats on their council up for election, all to four-year terms: Council Position #1, currently held by Tammara Byers; Council Position #2, currently held by Tom Poplawski; and Council Position #4, currently held by Mike Horne. 

Byers said previously that she would not be seeking reelection. 

Coulee Dam

Positions up for election in Coulee Dam include the mayor’s position, currently held by Bob Poch; Council Position #1, recently held by Fred Netzel who resigned; Position #2, currently held by Merv Schmidt; Position #3, currently held by Dale Rey; and Position #4, currently held by Larry Hall.

All of these positions are for four-year terms except Position #4, which is for a two-year term.

Electric City

In Electric City, the mayoral position currently held by Diane Kohout; Council Position #1, currently held by Willie Bott; and Position #2, currently held by Bob Rupe, are all up for election for four-year terms.

Elmer City

Elmer City has four positions up for election this year, including the mayoral position currently held by Jesse Tillman; Council Position #1, currently held by Michael Humiston; Position #2, currently held by William Dunlap; and Position #3, currently held by Clara Carson.

All of these positions are for four-year terms. 

Grand Coulee Dam School District #301J

The Grand Coulee Dam School District Board of Directors has three positions up for election to four-year terms: Position #1, currently held by Carla Marconi; Position #2, currently held by Ken “Butch” Stanger; and Position #5, currently held by Rich Black. 

Nespelem School District #14

The Nespelem School District Board of Directors has three positions up for election to four-year terms: Position #3, currently held by Jolene Marchand; Position #4, currently held by Jarae Cate; and Position #5, currently held by Nancy Armstrong-Montes. 

Hospital District #6 - CMC

Coulee Medical Center’s hospital district has a single commissioner spot up for election, Position #2, currently held by Clea Pryor.

Grant County Port District #7

GCD Port District #7 manages the Grand Coulee Dam Airport and the Banks Lake Golf Course. Its commissioner Position #1, currently held by Jim Keene, is up for election to a six-year term.

Coulee Area Parks and Recreation District

CAPRD has Commissioner Position #4 up for election to a four year term. That spot is currently held by Kevin Portch. 

Grant County Fire District #14 has a two-year term for Position #1 up for election, with no incumbent listed

Okanogan County Fire District #2 has three positions up for for election: Position #1, currently held by Lloyd Olbricht, is up for a two year term; Position #2 currently held by Shelly Black is up for a six-year term; and Position #3 which lists no incumbent is up for a four-year term. 

Lincoln County Fire District #9 has two positions up election to six-year terms for Position #2, currently held by Ron Rosenberg; and Position #3 currently held by Richard W. Coffland.