Primary election voting starts

Ballots were mailed today to Skagit County voters for the Aug. 2 primary elections, starting the 18-day voting period. The only offices contested by multiple candidates in Skagit County are for U.S. Senate, 2nd Congressional District and secretary of state. All candidates for the state legislature and county offices will be on the November ballot since only one or two people filed for those seats.

County voters pamphlets have already been mailed.

If the amount of money raised indicates the ability of a campaign to reach voters, three of the 18 U.S. Senate candidates on the ballot likely to get the most votes are Democrats Patty Murray, $11,671,237 in contributions; and Nicolaus Sleister, $16,230; and Republican Tiffany Smiley, $4,209,354.

For the 2nd Congressional District, of the 10 candidates, 10-term incumbent Rick Larsen (D. Everett) has raised $827,444; Democratic challenger Jason Call, $120,590; and Republican Leif Johnson, $17,091. The 2nd Congressional District includes all of Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties and part of Snohomish County.

The one statewide state office this year is for secretary of state. Former Secretary of State Kim Wyman resigned last November to take an elections oversight position with the Biden administration. The appointed secretary of state, Democrat Steve Hobbs, has raised $386,013; Pierce County Elections Director Julie Anderson, running as a Nonpartisan Party candidate, $149,754; Republicans Mark Miloscia, $57,956; State Senator Keith Wagoner, $36,399; and Bob Hagglund, $9,660; and America First (R) Party candidate Tamborine Borrelli, $39,124.

In the 10th state legislative district, the position 1 candidates are Greg Gilday $111,417 raised, a Republican and Clyde Shavers, $103,862 in contributions, a Democrat. For the position 2 seat, Democrat Dave Paul has raised $127,161 while Republican challenger Karen Lesetmoe has $57,489 in contributions.

Fundraising totals are from the U.S. Federal Election Commission and the Washington state Public Disclosure Commission.

County election totals will be certified Aug. 16.