Clockwise, the four auditor candidates are state Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, Rep. Mark Miloscia, D-Federal Way, Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma, and Republican James Watkins.
OLYMPIA, May 17.—And now it’s for sure – the state auditor’s race will be the biggest bloodbath of the year. At least two current members of the Washington state Legislature will be heading for the unemployment line in January, and possibly three.
With the filing of state Rep. Mark Miloscia for the race Thursday morning, three current members of the Washington state Legislature are running for the seat. It’s one that rarely comes open. Current officeholder Brian Sonntag has held the position for the last 20 years, and is retiring after this year’s election.
Miloscia, D-Federal Way, joins state Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, who filed late Wednesday evening, and state Rep. Troy Kelley, D-Tacoma, who submitted his papers on Monday, the opening day of Washington state’s candidate-filing week.
The lone Republican in the race is James Watkins, who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2010. Watkins had announced another campaign for the 1st District seat earlier this year, but changed his mind, ceding the field to Republican John Koster. As a result of redistricting, Koster found himself in the 1st District this year – he had mounted a strong campaign in the 2nd District last time around against incumbent Democrat Rick Larsen. Watkins opted instead to run for auditor.
Only one of them can win, of course, and simple math indicates that at least two of them will no longer have parking spots at the Capitol when new officeholders are sworn in next January.
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