Candidate filing opens Monday

SPOKANE — Political hopefuls can officially file for office next week to compete in the August primary election.

Candidate filing opens at 8 a.m. Monday, May 6, and continues until Friday, May 10.

Depending on the office being sought, candidates will be able to file with Spokane County or the state; candidate may be done in person or online. Fees may also be paid in person or online.

The Top 2 candidates in each race advance to the November general election.

Congressional District No. 5, where incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Spokane has announced she won’t seek re—election, has drawn a number of announced candidacies.

Endorsed by the state Republican Party, Brian Dansel of Republic leads the conservative field of candidates. Dansel was previously employed in President Trump’s administration. Legislative Rep. Jacqueline Maycumber, R—Republic, also comes with a healthy list of endorsements.

Other announced Republicans include area Michael Baumgartner, Jonathan Bingle, Terri Cooper, John Guenther and Rene Holaday.

Vying for the Democratic nomination are Bernadine Bank, Carmela Conroy and Ann Marie Danimus, so far.

The filing fee is $1,740.

The U.S. Senate position currently held by incumbent Sen. Maria Cantwell, D—Mountlake Terrace, is also up for grabs. It, too, carries a $1,740 filing fee.

Candidates will also be filing for a number of statewide offices, including governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, public lands commissioner insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction and three supreme court positions, as well as a state court of appeals judicial post.

In the race for governor, Republican Semi Bird of Richland and Democrat Secretary of State Robert “Bob” Ferguson are the top candidates in the field.

In southern Spokane County, both seats for the state Legislative District No. 9 House of Representatives will be on the ballot, as well as the senate seat.

The incumbents in those races are Republican Reps. Mary Dye of Pomeroy and Joe Schmick of Colfax, and Sen. Mark Schoesler of Ritzville.

County seats on the ballot this year will include three county commissioner positions, 13 superior court posts and a host of precinct officers.