Community Government

Filing week is over; here’s who will be on ballots this year

Gig Harbor-area voters will face contested primary elections for two seats in the Legislature and one on the Pierce County Council this year.

Candidates in the 2026 election had until 5 p.m. Friday, May 8, to file with the Elections Division of the Pierce County Auditor’s Office. Most did so early in the week, or had previously declared their candidacies via an announcement or by filing with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

A couple of new faces jumped in, however.

Randy Phillips of Gig Harbor filed for the state House position being vacated by the retiring Michelle Valdez, stating no party preference. And Damon Townsend of Gig Harbor, a former Pierce County elections supervisor, filed to run for the nonpartisan office of Pierce County auditor.

At least one anticipated candidate did not choose to run. Former Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan registered with the PDC to raise money for a Pierce County Council run, but did not file before Friday’s deadline.

Ann E. Jolie of Gig Harbor filed to run as a Republican for the Pierce County Council District 7 seat being vacated by Robyn Denson. Jolie has advocated for increased Sheriff’s Office staffing in the Peninsula Detachment, which serves Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula.

The primary election is Aug. 4, with the general election following on Nov. 3.

The following candidates filed ahead of deadline.

Note: Candidates can characterize their party preference in any way they choose, or may declare themselves to have “no party preference.” Hometowns listed based on the addresses candidates provided when they filed with the county.

Sixth Congressional District 

Teresa Fox, Bremerton, Republican 

Leon Lawson, Aberdeen, “Trump Republican” 

Macy Jones, Sequim, no party preference

Brian P. O’Gorman, Shelton, independent 

* Emily Randall, Port Orchard, Democrat, incumbent 

26th Legislative District 

Senator

* Deborah Krishnadasan, Gig Harbor, Democrat, incumbent 

Gary Parker, Gig Harbor, Republican

State Representative Position 1

Natalie Bornfleth, Port Orchard, Democrat 

David Olson, Gig Harbor, Republican 

* Adison Richards, Gig Harbor, Democrat

State Representative Position 2

Katy Cornell, Gig Harbor, Republican 

Renee Hernandez Greenfield, Port Orchard, Democrat

Randy Phillips, Gig Harbor, no party preference

Tedd Wetherbee, Gig Harbor, Democrat

Pierce County Council, District 7

Ann E. Jolie, Gig Harbor, Republican

Brenda Lykins, Tacoma, Democrat 

Chuck West, Vaughn, nonpartisan

Pierce County Auditor

* Linda Farmer, Lakewood 

Damon Townsend, Gig Harbor

Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney

Bryan Chushcoff, Tacoma 

Coreen Schnepf, Tacoma

* Incumbent