Let The Political Season Begin

King County Elections released the final names of candidates who have filed for the 2011 elections. Here are the candidates that will be running for Renton:

Renton Mayor

Denis Law, running unopposed

Renton City Council

Council Position, No. 3

Marcie Palmer, running unopposed

Council Position, No. 4

Sarah Sanoy-Wright

Greg Taylor (incumbent)

Council Position, No. 5

Mark Martinez

Ed Prince

Robin Jones

Council Position, No 7

Phyllis Forister

Don Persson (incumbent)

Renton School District No. 403

Director Position #1

Todd Franceschina (incumbent, running unopposed)

Director Position #4

Denise Eider, running unopposed

Public Hospital District No. 1

Commissioner Position #1

Jim Grossnickle

Paul Joos

Mary Alice Heuschel

Chris Clifford

Michele Fisher

King County Fire District 40

Commission Position #1

Linda Sartnurak

Although the mayoral race is unopposed, Mayor Law said that generally speaking he likes to see people have choices in the candidates that they have to select from in political campaigns.

Longtime councilperson, Don Persson and Councilperson Greg Taylor have both drawn opponents. “I am ready to run a campaign,” Persson said.  Taylor said that he welcomes new people who want to make a contribution to the city and he encourages that.

Persson’s opponent, Phyllis Forister said that she plans to run a “grassroots, word-of-mouth campaign.” Forister, who is retired, and lives in downtown Renton said she is running because of the lack of transparency on the Renton City Council, and because of special interest groups. She has a small committee to help her and doesn’t intend to raise a lot of money in her campaign.

Councilperson Marcie Palmer, who is running unopposed, is relieved she doesn’t have to mount a huge campaign and thanks the public for their ongoing support.

In position No. 5, the seat vacated by long-time councilmember King Parker, Martinez, Prince, and Jones will have to compete for the primary in August.

And, it could be a horserace in the , the seat being vacated by Commissioner Don Jacobson. Five individuals  have filed in that seat.