POULSBO — Six candidates have filed for appointment to the 23rd District state House seat to succeed Christine Rolfes, who was appointed to the state Senate in July.
The deadline for applications to be submitted to the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee was Friday, 4 p.m. The applicants are:
— Jesse Hudson Cockerham of Kingston, a Kitsap Democratic Party precinct committee officer who graduated from Evergreen State College with degrees in history and performing arts.
— Drew Hansen of Bainbridge Island, a lawyer and board member of the 23rd Legislative District Democrats.
— Holly Mortlock of Bremerton, legislative assistant to state Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Seattle.
— Ed Stern, a financial adviser and Poulsbo city councilman since 1998.
— Peter Stockwell of Silverdale, a retired Central Kitsap middle school teacher and former member of the Washington Education Association board.
— Houston C. Wade of Bainbridge Island, a server at the Harbor Pub and owner of a small geological exploration company. He has degrees in geography and astrophysics from the University of Hawaii.
“I would have been happier with more applicants,” party chairman Mike Arnold said. “I actually thought that vacancy would generate more excitement. Maybe that’s just me because I’ve got my head in the game.”
The Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee will hold a special caucus Sept. 11, 2:30 p.m, at the Kitsap County Event Center, located across the street from the fairgrounds. Precinct committee officers will select and rank three nominees, and forward their names to the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, which will make the appointment.
Democrats get to make the recommendation because the office had been held by a Democrat.
The appointee will have to run in 2012 for a full term. Members of the House and Senate receive $42,106 a year. House members serve two-year terms; there are 98 representatives from 49 districts. Senators serve four-year terms; there are 49 senators from 49 districts.
Rolfes, D-Bainbridge, was appointed to succeed Phil Rockefeller as the 23rd District’s senator; Rockefeller resigned in June after Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed him to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
