Election voting about to start

Friday the Skagit County elections office mails ballots to registered voters. The two statewide contested seats are U.S. Senate and Washington secretary of state. Supreme Court Justices Barbara Madsen, G. Helen Whitener and Mary Yu are running unopposed.

In our region, U.S. Congressional District 2 and the two state representative positions will be decided.

For legislative district 10, first term Position 1 State Rep Greg Gilday (R, Camano Island) has to overcome Democratic challenger Clyde Shavers, a Navy veteran from Oak Harbor who won the primary by 2,000 votes.

Position 2 challenger, Oak Harbor realtor Karen Lesetmoe has a 4,300 vote deficit to erase in her race against two term State Rep. Dave Paul D, IDK (Oak Harbor).

Four county seats are contested. Christian Burns, contractor from Birdsview, needs to win countywide against Lisa Janicki. He came close in the August primary among voters in the northeastern District 3, 225 votes behind. Self-proclaimed Constitutionalist Kevin Ewing seeks to defeat incumbent Don McDermott for the sheriff’s office. Eric Hull questions the integrity of county elections overseen by Sandy Perkins, finishing her first term as county auditor. The challengers are Republicans, the office holders Democrats.

For county assessor, choose between Kari Storle, who worked 19 years in that office, and Danny Hagen who is in his eighth year on staff. County Assessor Dave retires in December.

Other county office holders are running unopposed.

There are two advisory votes on the ballot for tax measures enacted by the state Legislature.

Get voting information and register to vote at VoteWa.gov. Call Skagit County elections office: 360-416-1702.