Filing week closes with 44 candidates in JeffCo races

By Mallory Kruml
Posted 5/14/25

Filing week across Washington state has concluded with 44 hopeful candidates vying for public office in Jefferson County. 

In Port Townsend, three seats are up for election on the city …

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Filing week closes with 44 candidates in JeffCo races

Posted

Filing week across Washington state has concluded with 44 hopeful candidates vying for public office in Jefferson County. 

In Port Townsend, three seats are up for election on the city council; two are open on the Port Commission. 

Incumbent city council members Neil Nelson, Position 2, and Libby Wennstrom, Position 5, have filed, along with newcomers Fred Obee, Mikki Porter and Dylan Quarles filing for Position 1. 

Obee, a longtime journalist, hopes to help the city focus on updating its infrastructure, affordable housing and strengthening its financial position. 

“It doesn’t appear to me that the city’s revenue plans for the future are realistic,” Obee wrote. “The city needs to step back and take a harder look to make sure we can continue to provide the services Port Townsend residents need.”

Porter, a Jefferson County native who has spent most of his life in the city, has considered running for city council for a few years. 

“This open position felt like a great opportunity to get involved,” Porter wrote. “Having lived here through different stages of life, I understand the challenges many residents face — especially around housing, jobs, and access to services. If elected, I hope to represent working families, youth, and others who may not have the time or resources to engage in local politics.”

Quarles is running because he believes the city needs leadership that understands the struggles currently facing working families.

“As a renter, raising my young son here alongside my wife who is a public school teacher, I see firsthand how rising costs are squeezing the families who keep our community running — our service workers, teachers, and small business owners,” Quarles wrote. “Though the city has shown itself eager to address the challenges facing Port Townsend’s future, it is important, now more than ever, to keep the lived experiences of our working families firmly in the conversation.” 

Andy Pernsteiner, the interim Jefferson County Sheriff since February, will run unopposed in the race for Jefferson County Sheriff. 

“I’ve been at the Sheriff’s Office for the past 27 years and have seen a lot of change within law enforcement and our community,” Pernsteiner wrote. “JCSO needs a leader that is focused on the needs of our community and supports our team of professional men and women at JCSO.   I’m up for the challenge of leading the Sheriff’s Office into the future.” 

Clayborn Burleson will challenge incumbent Carol Hasse for the District 2 commissioner seat at the Port of Port Townsend, while Peter W. Hanke will run unopposed in the race for District 3 commissioner.  

“I have the education, training and experience required to serve as Port Commissioner. I believe that the taxpayers, residents and marine trades people of Jefferson County deserve the most competent Port policy-makers that are available,” Burleson wrote. 

Hasse, the incumbent, wrote, “I am running for a second term as port commissioner to support our word class working waterfront , and the environmental and economic wellbeing and resiliency of our beloved, vibrant county. We current commissioners and port staff have made much progress in infrastructure and expansion goals- with more planned and funded. It would be an honor to continue this work with the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over four decades as a PT marine tradesperson/ business owner and in my first term as Port of Port Townsend Commissioner.”

In the race for commissioner seats for East Jefferson County Hospital District 2, which oversees Jefferson Healthcare, Stu Kerber will challenge incumbent Matt Ready for Position 3, while Patty Rhoden will run unopposed for Position 5. 

Ready vowed to ensure that Jefferson Healthcare continues to operate with integrity, openness and a clear focus on the people of Jefferson County. 

“I am honored to serve in a position of public trust, and I’m running for re-election to continue championing transparency, accountability, and healthcare access for all people. I believe our healthcare system must be governed openly by the community it serves—not behind closed doors,” Ready wrote.

Kerber said raising two children in Jefferson County has reinforced the importance of community infrastructure, such as schools and healthcare. He hopes to focus on making Jefferson Healthcare the top place to work in the county and increasing access to services. 

“Healthcare is something my family is passionate about and I believe I have a tremendous amount of experience, enthusiasm, and professionalism that I can offer to both the hospital district as well as the community,” Kerber wrote.

In total, 36 candidates filed by May 9 at 5 p.m.

Ballots for the Aug. 5 primary will be mailed on July 16. Voter resources can be found on the Jefferson County website at co.jefferson.wa.us/1272/Voter-Resources. 

 

List of all candidates

County - 

Sheriff -  Andy Pernsteiner  

Port of Port Townsend - 

Commissioner District 2 - Carol Hasse, Claybron Burleson

Commissioner District 3 - Peter W. Hanke

East Jefferson County Hospital District No. 2

Commissioner Position 3 - Stu Kerber, Matt Ready

Commissioner Position 5 - Patty Rhoden

City of Port Townsend - 

Council Member Position 1 - Fred Obee, Mikki Porter, Dylan Quarles 

Council Member Position 2 - Neil Nelson

Council Member Position 5 - Elizabeth (Libby) Wennstrom

Port Townsend School District No. 50 -

Director District 1 - John Nowak 

Director At Large Position 4 - Amanda Grace, Timothy S. Hawley

Brinnon School District No 46 - 

Director At Large Position 2 - Mike Reynolds 

Director At Large Position 5 - Summer Ventura

Quilcene School District No. 48 -

Director District 2 - Jon Cooke, Naomi Stern

Director At Large Position 5 - Richard Fitzgerald

Chimacum School District No. 49 - 

Director District 1 - Roxanne Hudson 

Director District 2 - Alyssa Haddenham

Director District 5 - Kathryn Lamka

Sequim School District 323 - 

Director District No. 2 - Patrice Johnston

Director At Large Position 4 - Maren Halvorsen 

Quilayute Valley School District 402 - 

Director District No. 2 - Kevin Hinchen

Director District No. 4 - Ron Hurn

East Jefferson Fire District No. 1 - 

District 1 Commissioner - Jeannie Price

East Jefferson Fire District No. 2 - 

District 2 Commissioner - David Codier, David Seabrook 

Quilcene Fire District No. 2 - 

Commissioner Position 1 - Ken McEdwards, Art Frank 

Brinnon Fire District No. 4 -

Commissioner Position 1 - Dan Ventura

Commissioner Position 3 - Justin Matheson

Discovery Bay Fire District No. 5 - 

Commissioner Position 3 - Barb Knoepfle

Fire District 1 - 

Commissioner Position 1 - William Henderson

Commissioner Position 4 - John Buonpane

Fire District 3 - 

Commissioner Position 3 - Mike Taggart, Bill Miano

Paradise Bay Water District No. 1 - 

Commissioner Position 2 - Jeff Blakley

Coyle-Thorndyke Park and Recreation District No. 1

Commissioner Position 2 - Dennis Schmitt

Commissioner Position 3 - Thane Grooms 

Cemetery Districts - 

Brinnon Cemetery District No. 1, Commissioner Position 2 - Alicia Simmons

Quilcene Cemetery District No. 2, Commissioner Position 3 - Michael Spears