May primary Numerous races uncontested as election filing deadlines loom

With deadlines for filings for the May primary elections fast approaching, all races for city and county offices --- plus two state offices up for grabs locally --- remain uncontested.

At the county level, County Commissioner Mark Davidson, Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen, Assessor Linda Hill, Clerk Robin Church, Surveyor Rick Robinson and Treasurer Donna Marshall, all incumbents, have filed to run, and at this point are unopposed.

The deadline for filing for the county races is 5 p.m. March 6. The clerk, sheriff and treasurer elections will not appear on the May primary ballot unless three candidates run. In that case, the elections would be decided in November.

In the city of La Grande, Mayor Dan Pokorney, Councilor John Bozarth and Councilor Kelly McGee are all up for re-election, all have turned in their required signature petitions and all are currently unopposed. 

A fourth seat on the council is vacant with the recent resignation of Silas Kelty. John Lackey is hoping to fill the seat and is circulating a petition in order to file for election. If Lackey is the only person to file by the Feb. 28 deadline, he will be appointed to the position in March.

In local state office filings, Brian Dretke, who was recently appointed to the Tenth Circuit Court to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Phil Mendiguren, is so far unopposed for the position in the election. Union County District Attorney Tim Thompson also is unopposed, according to the Oregon Secretary of State Office.

In state legislative races, Jack Esp and Bob Jenson, both of Umatilla County, are vying for the Republican nomination to run for District 58 representative. Bill Hansell of Umatilla County is the only candidate filed so far to run for state senator for District 29.

In Elgin, the election to recall Mayor John Stover is proceeding, with ballots due in the drop box by 8 p.m. Feb. 28.

County Clerk Robin Church cautioned that people mailing their ballots in should do so no later than Thursday, Feb. 23, because otherwise they may not arrive in time.