Write-in candidates announce plans

Two said no, one said yes, and one said one way or another when asked this week if they would be write in candidates for county offices this fall.

Four Wahkiakum County incumbent office holders entered the August 5 primary election with no apparent opposition and emerged with write-in opponents.

Saying yes: Westend resident Sam Valdez said he would enter the race for county assessor. Incumbent Bill Coons has filed for re-election.

Saying no: Deputy Sheriff Mike Balch said Tuesday he wouldn't campaign for sheriff against incumbent Mark Howie. Balch ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign last year. Also, Heidi Heywood said she would not campaign for prosecuting attorney against incumbent Dan Bigelow (see Heywood's letter to the editor in this edition of The Eagle).

Saying one way or another: Former Sheriff Gene Strong qualified as a write-in candidate for county commissioner. When contacted Tuesday, Strong said his name would be on the general election ballot, but he hadn't yet decided whether or not to campaign for the office against incumbent Blair Brady.

Under Washington election law, a person receiving 1 percent of the vote in a primary election is eligible to appear on the general election ballot as a candidate.

Primary vote tallies on Thursday were:

County assessor--Bill Coons, incumbent, 865; Sam Valdez 50.

County Commissioner, District 3--Blair Brady, incumbent, 233; Eugene Strong, 8.

Prosecuting Attorney--Dan Bigelow, incumbent, 870; Heidi Heywood, 22.

Sheriff--Mark Howie, incumbent, 932; Mike Balch 62.