Primary election ballot set

After the dust had settled Friday, only two local races will have a Primary run-off in August.

Lacey incumbent city council member Ron Lawson has drawn two opponents in his effort to retain his seat and out in Tumwater three candidates are running for an all but open seat on the city council.

Lawson has drawn two candidates for his seat – – Lacey planning commission member Michael Steadman and newcomer Jacob Vaughan.

In Tumwater, Kyle Taylor Lucas who was appointed a few weeks ago to the seat left vacant by the resignation of Betsy Spath has drawn two opponents David Reeder and Debbie Sullivan.

Those are the only two races which will be on the primary ballot.

But, the filing period was not without some interesting twists.

For the first time ever in his history, Lacey Mayor Virgil Clarkson has drawn opposition.   His opponent is Walker Morton.   Clarkson in more than a decade and a half on the council, has never had any opposition to his election.

Lawson, and fellow councilmembers  Andy Ryder and Cynthia Pratt, were swept into office nearly three years ago in a campaign financed by Lacey firefighters who were upset with the council’s position on starting its own fire department.   This time around Pratt has drawn an opponent Raymond Payne while Ryder escaped without an opponent.

It’s not expected that fire fighters have much interest in the contests this time around since they’ve already accomplished their goal of stopping a city fire department.

In that vein, incumbent fire commissioner Judy Wilson has drawn an opponent – – Gary Hartloff.    The position left open by John Christiansen, who chose not to seek re-election, had drawn two candidates – – Dan Cathers and Dennis Jones.  It’s anticipated that fire fighters will concentrate their efforts in those races.

And, the two incumbent members of the North Thurston school board – – Chuck Namit and Aaron Owada drew no opponents and will continue in office.