Clark Public Utility District Commissioner Nancy Barnes gained three opponents Thursday in her bid for a fourth six-year term. John Elkin, Jeff Bier and Robert Nichols, all from Vancouver, filed for the nonpartisan seat.
They were among several candidates who filed Thursday for state and local races.
Candidates have until 5 p.m. today to file. The primary election will be Aug. 17.
In the state’s biggest race, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s bid for re-election, Republican Dino Rossi of Bellevue filed, bringing the total number of opponents for the Seattle Democrat to 11.
Republican David Castillo of Olympia and Democrat Denny Heck of Olympia filed for the 3rd Congressional District seat being vacated by Brian Baird. Camas Republican Jaime Herrera has already filed for that position, along with Norma Jean Stevens of Ocean Park, who filed as an independent, and Democrat Cheryl Crist of Olympia.
In the 15th District, state representative Position 2 seat race, Democrat Paul Spencer of Stevenson filed against incumbent David Taylor, R-Moxee.
In the 17th District, State Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, filed Thursday to keep his Position 1 seat. Challenger Brian Peck, R-Vancouver, had already filed.
Crowded fields
One of the most crowded races? Herrera’s open Position 1 state representative seat from the 18th District. Democrat Dennis Kampe of Vancouver filed Thursday, as did Republicans Brandon Vick and Anthony Bittner of Vancouver and Ann Rivers of La Center. Independents Jon Haugen of Vancouver and Richard Carson of Brush Prairie filed earlier this week, as did Republican Jon Russell of Washougal.
Another crowded race? The one for Clark County assessor. Democrat Linda Franklin is not running for re-election and on Thursday, one of her employees, Democrat Janet Seekins of Vancouver, filed. She will run against at least three Republicans: David Horowitz, Peter Van Nortwick and Daniel Weaver, all from Vancouver.
Clark County Sheriff Garry Lucas filed Thursday to keep his post and will face challenger Tim Shotwell, a custody officer who ran against Lucas four years ago.
The top two finishers in the primary, regardless of political affiliation, will advance to the Nov. 2 general election.
For a complete list of candidates, go to http://www.clarkvotes.org and click on “candidate filing list.”
