A candidate for the City Council — who has decided not to seek office — will cost the City thousands of dollars.

In a June 6 email, candidate Jeff Braden told Public Disclosure Commission officials why he could not file with the PDC and stated he would not “actively seek office or serve on the City Council.”

In email to the PDC’s Jennifer Hanson, file assistance specialist, Braden wrote, “I decided that as a individual investor that the PDC reporting requirements of listing each stock, number of shares, etc., is too onerous for me.”

Braden filed to run for the Council’s At-Large seat, 30 minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline on May 17 for candidates to file.

Before Braden filed, incumbent Councilman Jerry Childs and newcomer Eric V. Gonnason were set to face off in the November general election. With Braden filing, it forced an Aug. 6 primary election that will cost the City about $15,000, according to Delores Gilmore, county election manager.

Candidates had until May 20 to withdraw their name from the ballot.

Braden’s name will remain on the primary ballot, but he did not submit any information for the voters pamphlet.

The League of Women Voters of Kitsap originally scheduled a candidates’ forum for the City Council candidates in July, but it was canceled.

Ann Smith, president of the group, said she received an email in late June from Braden stating that he had withdrawn from the race.

As of press time, Braden had not filed with the PDC.

Lori Anderson, a spokesperson for the PDC, said candidates have two weeks after filing with the PDC. She said on July 5, the PDC sent out reminders by either postcard or email to candidates, reminding them to file.

Anderson added that candidates who did not reply to the reminders by July 16 would be sent a hearing notice.

Braden did not respond to an email sent by the Independent.

Two of the three candidates for the South Kitsap School District have filed with the PDC. Rebecca Diehl, who is seeking the District 4 post, and incumbent Chris Lemke, who currently holds the District 3 seat, filed with the PDC.

Newcomer Jeff Lakin, who is opposing Lemke, has not filed with the PDC. Lemke and Lakin will meet in the November general election, while Diehl is unopposed.

All other City Council candidates have filed with the PDC.

Incumbent Councilman Fred Chang is the only candidate who has reported funds raised and spent. He reported more than $3,370 raised and more than $600 spent.

Newcomer Jeff Lakin, who is opposing Lemke, has not filed with the PDC. Lemke and Lakin will meet in the November general election, while Diehl is unopposed.

Dale “Dusty” Wiley and Paul A. Golnik have filed with the PDC for the fire commissioner races for South Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

Port of Bremerton Commissioner Larry Stokes filed his information with the PDC for re-election.

No candidates running for the Port of Manchester have filed with PDC.

For more information, visit www.pdc.wa.gov.