Filing week: Lewis County PUD commissioner race draws five candidates

May 10—Five candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to serve as a Lewis County Public Utility District (PUD) commissioner.

Jilona Speer, Dave Fenn, Angie Brown, Jerry Lord and Julie Balmelli-Powell have filed with the Secretary of State to run for a six-year term on the commission.

Incumbent Ed Rothlin on Friday afternoon told The Chronicle he would not seek a new term on the commission. Candidate filing ran through 5 p.m. Friday and is now closed.

The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A top-two primary will be held on Aug. 6 to decide which two candidates advance to the general election in each race with three or more candidates. In races with three or more candidates, the slate will be whittled to two in the August primary.

In an email, Lord said a push toward green energy combined with "all the other strains will be a budgetary nightmare while attempting to keep the electrical rates to the folks of Lewis County as low as possible."

A former Chehalis City Council member, Lord cited his work on the budget committee, which included "two rounds of union contracts and many other controversial issues." Lord has also owned or operated the Market Street Pub and the M&K Town Store.

"I look forward to growing in this position while attempting not to grow your rates to unsustainable amounts," Lord said. "Odd it is, while wanting to go green I feel we will end up going dark due to the cost and the weight of the legislation yet to be written."

A town council member in Pe Ell, Speer said she "had the privilege of serving my community with unwavering commitment, transparency and integrity. My journey as a public servant has been guided by a simple principle: if something needs to be done, I make it happen."

In an email, Speer said she holds a bachelor's degree in social science and cultural anthropology, which she said would help her address the challenges facing the PUD.

"As I embark on this journey, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Lewis County," Speer said. "Together, with the proper leadership, we can build a brighter future for our community and ensure that every voice is heard and valued, as well as pave a path for our future."

A Boistfort High School graduate, Fenn said he has nearly five decades of experience as a farmer, work that taught him how to run a business. Fenn said several Lewis County citizens suggested he run for the seat. If elected, Fenn said he would work to "keep rates for homeowners and businesses as low as possible."

Fenn said he holds a degree from Pacific Lutheran University and taught for seven years before returning to Lewis County.

"I have experience in business and boards, so I think I can bring value as a commissioner," Fenn said.

In an email, Brown said, "As a lifelong resident of the community and as someone who has deep experience serving as a volunteer and board member for various organizations, I am ready to represent PUD customers and our community by serving on the PUD board.

"I am committed to making sure the utility operates efficiently and effectively to keep rates low while ensuring we are investing in utility infrastructure to maintain system reliability, safety and reduce outages," Brown said.

In a text Friday, Balmelli-Powe said she is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility.

"We are very fortunate to have one of the best power companies in WA state, including some of the lowest rates," she said. "I'm running for PUD commissioner to make one of the best PUDs even better."

If elected, Balmelli-Powe said she would increase accountability, transparency and accessibility, which would prevent "smart meter surprises."

It is my very strong belief that every elected official is responsible to the people who elected them first and foremost, followed closely by prioritizing the execution of the job they were elected, to the best of their ability," Balmelli-Powe said.

On Monday, Port Commissioner Peter Lahmann filed to represent District 1 as a Lewis County Commissioner as a Republican, while warehouse worker Damian Bean filed as a Democrat. Sean Swope, the Republican incumbent for District 1, also filed for reelection.

In District 2, incumbent Lindsey Pollock will face off against Winlock resident Christina Riley.

In the state Legislature, incumbent representatives from the 19th District — Joel McEntire and Jim Walsh — have declared challengers. Justin Franks will challenge McEntire as a Libertarian, while Mike Coverdale will face off against Walsh as a Democrat. Democrat Andi Day will challenge Republican Jeff Wilson for a seat in the State Senate.

As expected, Third Congressional District incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, drew two Republican competitors on the first day of filing on Monday — Joe Kent and Leslie Lewallen. Since then, a fourth candidate — independent John Saulie-Rohman, of Camas — has filed in the race.

To see up-to-date filings, visit https://tinyurl.com/2s3p7a79, where users can see which candidates are running in each county and race. To withdraw, a signed request must be received by Monday, May 13, at 4:30 p.m. Filing fees are not refundable.