Candidates file for fall's political races

At the 5 p.m. deadline on July 30, both County Commission positions fielded two candidates: One Republican and one Democrat. As a result, no primary contest will be required in the election of the commissioners.

For commission slot No. 1, incumbent Republican Don Struck of White Salmon is being challenged by Democrat Patricia Arnold of Trout Lake for the right to serve a four-year term.

For position No. 3 on the Board of County Commissioners, incumbent Republican Ray Thayer of Goldendale will compete with Democrat Steven Johnston, also of Goldendale.

Commissioner Struck has served in the position for almost six years -- the last two years of former Commissioner Lane Smith's term and a subsequent full four-year term.

Struck said he has worked with Arnold at times in his capacity as a commissioner.

"I like Pat," he said. "She's a smart gal, definitely."

Struck said he was ready to compete for the right to continue serving as a Klickitat County Commissioner.

"I look forward to it," Struck said. "Campaigning gives you a sense of how people think you're doing your job. I welcome the challenge."

Arnold, a member of the Trout Lake Community Council, said the election would offer voters "a real choice."

"We're not two peas in a pod," Arnold said. "He's a nice guy, but this is about policies. The present commissioner is doing his level, honest best, but I just happen to disagree with the policies."

In another county-wide race, an open slot on the Klickitat Public Utility District Commission, a non-partisan position, will not be contested. Only one candidate, Ray A. Mosbrucker, a Goldendale resident, signed up to serve in the seat that has been held by longtime PUD Commissioner Harold Hill of Goldendale.

Hill, who has served as a PUD Commissioner since 1974, will not seek another six-year term.

Superior Court Judge E. Thompson Reynolds, who lives in Trout Lake, is running unopposed for another four-year term. The court's jurisdiction includes both Klickitat and Skamania counties.

In addition to these positions on Klickitat County's ballot, many precinct committee officers (PCOs) signed up to serve two-year terms for their respective political parties in the county's 29 precincts. PCOs are essentially political operatives who, among other tasks, work to help ensure that the party's voters' stay informed about meetings and other political activities, and help to get out the vote on Election Day.

In two precincts, Goldendale 3 and Woodland, two Republicans (Victoria Bean/Judith Cleary and Dawn Weaver/Jean Nelson respectively) are opposing each other. Those candidates will face off in the Sept. 14 primary, with the top vote-getter serving as the PCO.