Two Jefferson County races now have three candidates apiece: District 2 county commissioner and Superior Court judge. Also on Friday, Port Ludlow resident Larry Carter filed as an independent to run against state Sen. Jim Hargrove.

Two-term incumbent Jefferson County Commissioner David Sullivan, D-Cape George, filed May 14 and is now joined by two Republican opponents who filed Friday afternoon, May 18: Tim Thomas, R-Irondale, and Dan Youra, R-Port Hadlock.

Youra, who operates his own publishing company, filed just before the auditor’s office closed at 4:30 p.m.

“I decided to run because I think the voters of this county deserve a change,” he said in an interview.

Thomas echoed his sentiment. Both candidates said they hoped to make the county more business friendly and prosperous.

“I want to see a better county for my kids to be able to grow up in,” said Thomas, 41, a former Port Townsend student and owner/operator of Bernt Ericsen Excavating Co.

The race for Jefferson County Superior Court judge currently includes Keith Harper, Peggy Ann Bierbaum and Michael Haas.

The four-year term is opening after two-term Judge Craddock Verser decided not to seek reelection while battling cancer. Last week, Verser endorsed Harper to take his place.

Judge Verser appointed both Harper and Bierbaum as court commissioners. Bierbaum had been Verser's long-time ally, and was his campaign manager when he was first elected in 2004. How does she feel about Verser's apparent preference for Harper as his judicial successor?

“I don’t know if I’ve given it a lot of thought,” she said in an interview Tuesday morning. Bierbaum said she respects and admires Harper as a colleague.

The judge’s position includes an annual salary of $148,832.

Filing week was May 14 through May 18.

Candidates

Incumbent Wayne King of Gardiner was the only candidate who filed for Jefferson County Public Utility District 1, District 3 commissioner (non-partisan).

Geoff Masci, R-Port Townsend, filed for the seat held by two-term Commissioner Phil Johnson, D-Port Townsend, who filed Friday morning.

Numerous Democrats and Republicans have filed for county precinct committee positions.

All three state legislators who represent Jefferson County also are up for reelection, and all three – Sen. Jim Hargrove, Rep. Kevin Van De Wege and Rep. Steve Tharinger – have filed Public Disclosure Commission declarations.

The statewide primary was moved from September to August to allow more time for potential recounts in advance of the general election, which this year falls on Nov. 6.

An Aug. 7 primary means ballots are mailed to overseas residents and military personnel on June 22, with other ballots to be mailed on July 18.

With one candidate for Jefferson County Superior Court judge, there is both a primary and general election with an option for a write-in candidate, explained Karen Cartmel, chief deputy auditor and elections supervisor. If two people run and one person gets a clear majority in August, that person wins the seat. With three or more judicial candidates, the top two advance to the general election.

Federal offices

Federal offices up for election are those held by Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Norm Dicks.

State offices

State offices include the three 24th District legislators, governor and a full slate of state offices, including three positions on the state Supreme Court and one state appeals court spot.

Van De Wege, D-Sequim, and Tharinger, D-Sequim, had filed by Tuesday morning for state representative, as had Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, for state senator.

Larry Carter, Independent-Port Ludlow, filed Friday to oppose Hargrove. Steve Gale, R-Sequim, filed to oppose Tharinger.

Susan Owens and Steve Gonzalez filed for Supreme Court Monday morning. Douglas W. McQuaid, Seattle, and Scott Stafne, Seattle, have filed for the same position as Owens. Bruce O. Danielson, Port Orchard, filed for the same position as Gonzalez.

Three candidates filed for the same Superior Court position Monday and Tuesday: Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Bruce Hilyer and John W. Ladenburg, all of Seattle. Richard B. Sanders of Olympia joined the race Tuesday.

The appeals court for District 2 includes Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason and Thurston counties. As of Tuesday morning, four candidates had filed: Pamela Loginsky, Thomas Bjorgen, Michael Lynch and Thomas E. Weaver Jr. As of Friday, Jim Foley and Brendan Williams have joined the race. Both are of Olympia.

2012 is a presidential election year and more people are expected to turn out during the general election.