Late changes in candidate lineup

Suddenly, the election season got interesting.

Editor’s note: This version corrects the fourth paragraph. Bill Webb studied under Ed Strickland at Interlake High School.

POULSBO — Suddenly, the election season got interesting.

One day before the June 10 candidate filing deadline, Republican Chris Tibbs emerged as a challenger to Democrat Rob Gelder for the County Commission seat to which Gelder was appointed in March.

Tibbs and Gelder served together on the county’s Citizens Budget Advisory Committee. Tibbs, sales director for a Bremerton coffee roasting company, ran for North Kitsap School Board in 2001.

North Kitsap School Board member Ed Strickland withdrew his candidacy for reelection, leaving Bill Webb unopposed for that position. Webb, business development manager for Parametrix, an engineering firm, had Strickland as a physics teacher at Interlake High School in the 1980s.

School Board President Val Torrens got a second challenger on the final day of filing: Scott Henden of Kingston. Julie Edwards of Poulsbo is also running for Torrens’ position.

One hour before the close of filing, local surveyor Mike Dunphy challenged Connie Lord for her Poulsbo City Council position. All other council candidates are unopposed.

Barring a write-in challenge, one new council member will be Gary Nystul, Bremerton’s city auditor and a former Kalispell, Mont. city councilman. He will succeed council appointee Jeff Bauman, who chose not to run for a full term.

In the Village Green Metropolitan Park and Recreation District, Jason Manges filed his reelection candidacy online but it was reportedly not noted by the county Elections Office by the deadline, spurring a three-day extended filing period. Manges’ candidacy became official Wednesday.

All told, 19 North Kitsap positions — the Herald reported 16 previously — are on the Aug. 16 ballot. Only four races attracted more than one candidate. Only two attracted three candidates, which will be on the Aug. 16 primary election ballot. The top two vote-getters in those races will advance to the Nov. 8 general election. All races with one or two candidates will only be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Here’s the final list of candidates from the county Elections Office.

  • Kitsap County Commission, District 1: Robert “Rob” Gelder, Democrat; Chris Tibbs, Republican.
  • Poulsbo City Council, Position 1: Linda Berry-Maraist
  • Poulsbo City Council, Position 2: Connie Lord, Mike Dunphy.
  • Poulsbo City Council, Position 3: Gary Nystul.
  • Poulsbo City Council, Position 4: Jeff McGinty.
  • Poulsbo City Council, Position 6: David Musgrove.
  • North Kitsap School Board, District 2: Dan Weedin.
  • North Kitsap School Board, District 4: Julie Edwards, Val Torrens, Scott Henden.
  • North Kitsap School Board, District 5: Bill Webb.
  • North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Commission, Position 3: Stephen E. “Steve” Neupert, Kingston.
  • North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Commission, Position 5: Fernando “Espy” Espinosa, Suquamish.
  • Kitsap County Fire District No. 18 Commission, Position 3: Martin Sullivan, Poulsbo. (Jack Woodard withdrew Thursday morning.)
  • Kitsap County Fire District No. 18 Commission, Position 4: David Ellingson, Poulsbo.
  • Port of Eglon Commission, District 2: David Roberts.
  • Port of Indianola Commission, District 1: Jeff Henderson.
  • Port of Keyport Commission, Position 2: Brian Watne.
  • Port of Kingston Commission, District 3: Thomas A. Coultas, Jerry Kirschner, Walt Elliott.
  • Port of Poulsbo Commission, Position 3: Arnold (Arnie) Bockus, Jim Rutledge.
  • Village Green Metropolitan Park and Recreation District  Commission, Position 3: Jason Manges.

Voter-registration deadline is 29 days prior to an election. First-time voters and new residents of the state may register up to eight days prior to the election by appearing in person at the Kitsap County Auditor’s Elections Office.

Voter registration forms are available online; at city halls, fire stations, libraries and schools; most state and federal offices; and at the county Elections Office, 619 Division St., Port Orchard.

 

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