UPDATE: Wednesday: May 17:

There are now a number of contested races in Jefferson County, including a seat on the Jefferson County Hospital District 2 board that three people filed for on Monday and two seats on the Port of Port Townsend board.

Filing week started Monday and concludes at 4:30 p.m., Friday.

Former Port Townsend Paper Corp. general manager Bruce McComas filed Monday for the hospital board seat Tony DeLeo is vacating after 44 years on the board. Cherie Van Hoover, who had announced last month her intentions to run, also filed on Monday.

Bernie Donaberg also entered the hospital race, making for a contested race in the primary, the only one so far this year.

Donaberg served as clinical director for Jefferson Mental Health Services, which now is known as Discovery Behavioral Health. Donaberg said he retired four years ago.

Knowing that Jefferson Healthcare is talking about buying Discovery Behavioral Health, Donaberg said he felt his experience as a provider and administrator of three different agencies would help him serve the community well.

OTHERS FILING

Peter W. Hanke, incumbent Port of Port Townsend commissioner representing District 3, also had picked up an opponent, Keith Beck of Brinnon. Bill Putney filed for District 2 seat currently held by Brad Clinefelter, who also filed to retain his seat on late Tuesday.

Ariel J. Speser filed for the Position 2 seat on the City of Port Townsend council, a seat held by incumbent Catharine Robinson. Incumbent council members Pamela Adams and Michelle Sandoval also filed. (Correction: Adams filed on Monday)

Shirley Towne filed for a seat on the Brinnon School District board.

Cindy Pollard filed for the District 2 position with the Quilcene School District now held by Gary Rae.

Mike Gould filed to retain his District 3 seat on the Chimacum School Board. Sarah Martin also has filed for the District 1 seat.

Incumbents Jennifer James-Wilson and Constance Welch both filed to keep their seats on the Port Townsend School Board.

As of Wednesday afternoon, only incumbents had filed for seats on fire boards. David Johnson filed to keep his seat on the East Jefferson Fire Rescue District 1 board.

Herb Beck filed for the Pos. 3 seat on the Quilcene Fire District No. 2 board.

Bob Pontius wants to keep his Port Ludlow Fire District 3 seat.

Raelene Rossart filed for the Position 5 seat on the Port Ludlow Fire District 3 board.

Ron Garrison filed for a seat on the Brinnon Fire District Board.

Casey Carson filed for the Pos. 1 seat on the Discovery Bay Fire District 5 board.

Vernon W. Good filed for a seat on the Paradise Bay Water District 1 board.

And Dennis Schmitt filed for a seat on the Coyle-Thorndyke Park and Recreation Board.

When people file for a single seat – as has happened with the hospital board – there is a run-off in the primary Aug. 1 to narrow the field to two candidates, who square off in the general election Nov. 7.