Article by Erik Smith. Published on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 EST.

First Republican to Enter Race – Reed’s Departure Clears the Way

Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman.

By Washington State Wire

OLYMPIA, June 29.—Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman will launch her campaign for secretary of state Thursday at 9 a.m. with a news conference at the press-office building at the state Capitol.

            Wyman’s entry follows an announcement from Secretary of State Sam Reed Tuesday that he will be retiring at the end of his third term in January 2013. Wyman has been following fellow Republican Reed up the ranks. Reed was Thurston County auditor for 23 years; when he moved up in 2000, Wyman took his place. And Capitol-watchers have noted that Wyman has worked closely with Reed during his years in office.

            Wyman appears to have a clear field on the Republican side, though there are several Democrats said to be eying the job, and one has already announced a campaign- state Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup.

            As auditor, Wyman is responsible for overseeing elections, records and finances for the county. With the exception of the financial work, the duties are very similar for the secretary of state – plus a substantially greater amount of administrative work, and oversight of the state library and the state archive. And then there’s the paramount duty assigned by the state constitution – guarding the state seal.  

            In a news release, Wyman said, “My demonstrated record conducting over 80 accurate, open and clean elections has given me the foundation to serve the citizens of our state. Combined with the responsibility of managing public records, licensing and finance, I have the real world experience to be ready to start the job on day one.”

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