Three Democratic state representative candidates will meet the public this week, all hoping to succeed Rep. Nate Tyler, who is running for State Senate.  

Makah Tribal Council member Nate Tyler, Sequim school board member Eric Pickens, and legislative assistant Adam Bernbaum will appear at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St. The event is sponsored by the 24th District Democratic Committee.

This race represents the final tile in a game of political dominoes. Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz last year announced she would not seek a third term, instead pursuing the gubernatorial nomination (she later shifted to a run for the House of Representatives). At that time, incumbent 24th District State Senator Kevin Van De Wege announced a run for Lands Commissioner. Chapman soon filled that breach, announcing a run for Van De Wege’s seat.

This created a vacancy, which these three candidates seek to fill. The three will compete against Clallam County Deputy Prosecutor Matthew Roberson, a Republican, (along with any other candidates who may run for the position) in the Aug. 6 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 5 general election regardless of party.  

All three include statements from Chapman on their websites supporting their candidacies, characterized as endorsements.

Tyler, 51, is an elected Makah tribal leader who has served as a U.S. Marine, youth sports coach, small business owner, and veterans’ advocate. according to his press release. He was born and raised on the Makah Indian Reservation, and remains a strong community leader on the reservation. In 2000, he became one of the youngest to serve on the Makah Tribal Council, including serving as the elected tribal chair. Before that he was a commercial fisherman, a logger and a police officer and also worked for US Fish and Wildlife.  

In the press release, Tyler says that while serving in the Marines he sustained an injury that led to a disability and drug addiction. He subsequently went through recovery, got back on his feet, and started a family. After discharge from the military, Tyler found that getting appropriate care was difficult for him and others in Washington state. He says veterans were denied life-saving services. He began a social media campaign and contacted elected officials, which helped to bring attention to these conditions. He said these efforts spurred VA hospitals to flip their ratings from a 70 percent disapproval rate to an 80 percent approval rate. 

Tyler now owns and operates a welding fabrication shop in Neah Bay.

Pickens and Bernbaum were profiled on Page A20 of the Dec. 27 issue of The Leader. 

Democrats in Washington last held precinct caucuses in 2016. More than 3,700 participated in Jefferson County.

“It was pretty obvious that local Democrats had outgrown the caucus system,” said Bruce Cowan, who was chair of the Jefferson County Democrats at the time. “Since then we have used the Presidential Primary to decide how many delegates to elect for each candidate.”

“On April 6, after the March 12 primary, we will elect delegates to this year’s state convention at the Legislative District level,” said Cowan, who is now Chair of the 24th Legislative District Democrats. “That election will take place online. We’ll get word out about how members of the local party can pre-register to vote. We’ll also get the word out about how Democrats can become delegates to the state or national election. It’s time to start thinking about that.”

The Democratic State Convention will be held on June 22.