Voters in Pe Ell, Winlock and Vader have lots of familiar faces on their primary ballots — along with plenty of challengers eager to take their seat at the table.
Every race on the ballot in Pe Ell is contested, though most of the positions feature a pair of candidates who are certain to advance to the general election. The primary election for Position 5 on city council, however, will eliminate one of the three candidates vying for the seat. Christopher Dodd, Marjorie Church and Nicholas Schenck have all thrown their hats in the ring for the seat being vacated by Dolores Lee. The top two vote-getters will face off in the general election.
For the other races, the pair of candidates who have filed to run for the seat will have until November to make their case to voters.
Mayor Lonnie Willey is facing a challenge from Jim Henderson, city councilor Robert Cox is running against Clifford Haley and councilor Kristi Milanowski is being contested by Don Webster.
In Winlock, a pair of open seats have drawn several candidates. Neither Trig nor Barbara Pederson are running for reelection on the city council.
The couple drew scrutiny earlier this year when Trig was appointed to a vacant seat on the council where his wife was already serving — only for that appointment to be overturned when it was established he was not registered to vote in the district. He was reappointed after establishing registration.
Now, the Pedersons’ seats are up for grabs. Brandon Svenson and Paul McMillan are challenging for Position 1, while Eric Contreras and Jeramy Allman are vying for Position 2. Meanwhile, councilor Jodie Curtis faces a packed race of her own, with Lonnie Dowell and Glen Cook contesting the seat. Councilor Anne Randt is running unopposed.
Vader’s races have drawn no less interest. City council Position 4 has garnered three hopefuls, with incumbent Mike Parsons facing off against Jason Rayfield and Janet Charlton. The top two will advance to the general election.
Mayor Lois Wilson, who was appointed in May to replace Ken Smith, is running for a new term against Bob Goff. That race will provide a test of the support Wilson has earned in her limited time in office.
Position 1 on the city council will see a new face, with either Donna Rogers or Kevin Flynn earning the right to replace outgoing councilor Randal Hall. In Vader’s other city council race, Samantha Lovelady is running unopposed for the seat being vacated by Leona Nin Sander-Hunter.
