Washington candidate filing period begins

Filing week began Monday at auditor offices across Washington for the state’s primary election, which takes place Aug. 6.

Each open seat requires a filing fee equivalent to 10% of the salaries of the elected position. Candidates have until Friday to make sure their names appear on the ballot.

In Asotin County, two county commissioner seats are open, including District. No. 1, currently held by Brian Shinn, and District No. 2, held by Chris Seubert. The filing fee is $600.35, and the terms are for four years.

The Asotin County prosecutor position, now held by Curt Liedkie, carries a filing fee of $1,772.94. The former prosecutor, Ben Nichols, died a year ago, and Liedkie, a longtime chief deputy prosecutor, was appointed to the unexpired office.

The Superior Court judge position held by Brooke Burns is open in Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties. The four-year term requires a $2,173.91 filing fee with the state of Washington.

The Asotin County Public Utility District has an open six-year commissioner position in District No. 2. The position is currently held by Don Nuxoll, and the filing fee is $280.68.

In Garfield County, two board of commission positions will be on the 2024 ballot. District No. 1, held by Jim Nelson, and District 2, covered by Larry Ledgerwood, are open. The filing fee is $272.32.

Whitman County has two commission positions that will be on the ballot; the filing fee for either of those is $796.39. The District No. 1 spot is held by Art Swannack and No. 2 is held by Tom Handy.

Whitman County Superior Court judge will also be on the ballot, and candidates must pay a $2,173.91 fee to enter the race. The current judge, Gary Libey, announced in January he will not seek reelection and will retire when his term expires at the end of this year. He’s served on the bench since January 2017 and has practiced law in Whitman County for 40 years.

Three eastern Washington legislative spots will also be open. Those include District 9 House seats currently occupied by Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, and the District 9 Senate seat held by Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

Statewide offices that will be on the ballot include governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasure, state auditor, attorney general, commissioner of public lands, superintendent of public instruction and insurance commissioner.

The U.S. House seat held by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is retiring, will be on the ballot, as will the U.S. Senate spot held by Maria Cantwell.

Washington primary elections

Filing period — Monday until Friday

Final day to withdraw — May 13

Primary ballots mailed out — July 19

Election Day — Aug. 6