Filing period kicks off election summer

Oak Harbor financial advisor Scott Dudley said he will file as a candidate for Oak Harbor City Council Monday.

“Everyone and his brother has come out and said they support me and they want someone who can work with the current council,” he said, adding that he’ll file for Councilman Eric Gerber’s seat since Gerber isn’t running.

Dudley is one of many Whidbey residents who have decided or are considering running for an office. Next week is filing period for potential candidates in this year’s election.

Plenty of seats will be on the ballot this August for the primary. They include four positions on the Oak Harbor City Council currently held by Bob Severns, Jim Campbell, Danny Paggao and Gerber. Everyone but Gerber said they will file.

In Coupeville, the two candidates, Jim Phay and Dianne Binder, up for reelection to the Town Council say they won’t run again.

Other positions that will be on the ballot include three seats on the hospital board, two positions on the Oak Harbor School Board, three positions on the Coupeville School Board, a North Whidbey Fire and Rescue commissioner, a Central Whidbey Fire commissioner, three positions on the North Whidbey Park and Recreation commission, a seat on the Port of Coupeville board, as well as positions on several water, cemetery and sewer district boards.

Candidates can file at the Island County Elections Office, located at 400 North Main St. in Coupeville, Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 5, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.

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