By Marcy Stamper
Candidate filings for county, state and judicial offices are complete, with most positions drawing no opposition.
County Commissioner Jim DeTro, who represents District 3, is running unopposed for a second four-year term.
Among Okanogan County department heads, only Assessor Scott Furman faces a challenger. Furman, who prefers the Democratic Party, is being challenged by Les Stokes of Twisp, who prefers the Conservative Party.
Auditor Laurie Thomas, Clerk Charleen Groomes, Prosecuting Attorney Karl Sloan, Sheriff Frank Rogers, and Treasurer Leah Mc Cormack are all seeking re-election to four-year terms. All prefer the Republican Party except Sloan, who prefers the Democratic Party.
The new post of county coroner, a four-year term, is being sought by Anthony Frey of Okanogan, Gary Reams of Omak, and Dave Rodriguez of Twisp. Frey and Reams have no party preference; Rodriguez prefers the Republican Party.
Incumbent Dave Womack, who is seeking a third six-year term as District 1 commissioner for the Okanogan County Public Utility District, has three challengers, Scott Vejraska, James Miller and Steve Nearents. All are from Omak.
The most contested local race is to replace retiring U.S. Representative Doc Hastings for the Fourth Congressional District. The race has drawn Republicans George Cicotte, Clint Didier, Janéa Holmquist, Kevin Midbust, Dan Newhouse, Gordon Allen Pross, Gavin Seim and Glen Stockwell; Democrats Estakio Beltran and Tony Sandoval; and independents Josh Ramirez and Richard Wright for the two-year term.
Okanogan County District Court judges Heidi Smith and Charles Short are both seeking re-election to four-year terms.
Incumbent 12th District state representatives Cary Condotta and Brad Hawkins, both Republicans, are both running unopposed for two-year terms.
State Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges are also on the ballot. The primary is Aug. 5.
