Local News

Four Candidates File for Each County Commissioner Position

May 23, 2016

The field became more crowded as filing week came to an end Friday, with four candidates filing for each County Commissioner position up for election this year.

In District number one, incumbent Sheliah Kennedy drew three challengers, Ted Reinbold and Chris Branch who each list the their preference and the Independent party, and retiring Omak Police Chief Larry Schreckegast who listed Republican as his party preference.

In District number two, incumbent Ray Campbell also drew three challengers. Andy Hover and Stan Kvistad, each choosing the Republican party and Ashley Thrasher who listed no party preference.

Recently a community organization had formed with the mission to “to encourage qualified individuals to run as candidates for Okanogan County commissioners. We seek those who are dedicated to transparent, responsive, and accountable government,” according to the statement on the group’s website.

The group says the issues facing our county “call for leaders who are well-informed, committed to the welfare of the county’s citizens and are willing to include the public in a meaningful way.”

They say “Recently, our county government has spent large amounts of time criticizing state and federal governments, engaging in expensive lawsuits, making illegal decisions they were later forced to reconsider, thwarting public participation, and denying scientific information. We believe our county can do better.”

Incumbent PUD Commissioner Ernie Bolz did not file for re-election, however three candidates have filed for the open seat, Jerry Asmussen, John Graham and Aaron Kester all of Tonasket.

All of the candidates will face off in the August 2^nd primary, where the top two finishers will move on to the general election in November.