The mayors of Montesano and Elma, Vini Samuel and Jim Sorensen, respectively, both get a free-ride to re-election, neither of them drawing an opponent in last week’s election filing period for municipal elections.

McCleary Mayor Brenda Orffer, did draw a challenger, Jeffrey D. Prowse. They will meet in the November General Election.

For Grays Harbor Hospital District 1, only one of the two positions open will be contested, with Chad Searls challenging Andrew (Drew) Hooper.

Twenty-one positions countywide, mostly for special taxing districts such as fire districts, drew no candidates at all. The county will open a special three-day filing period for those races, probably sometime after the August primary.

All three towns will have council races, although none drew more than two candidates, which means no primary races for city council spots.

Montesano Council

Position 4: Brooke Chapman-Hoiness vs. Dave Skaramuca (incumbent).

Position 5: Megan M. Valentine (incumbent).

Position 7: Dan Wood (incumbent).

Elma Council

Position 4: Charles Butterfield (incumbent) vs. Mike Cooper.

Position 5: Josh Collette vs. Jim Taylor (incumbent).

McCleary Council

Position 1: Jenna Amsbury vs. Synthicy (Syn) Omega.

Position 2: Brycen Huff (incumbent).

School Boards

Of the nine school board seats on the ballot in the Montesano, Elma and McCleary school districts, only two will have contested races. In Montesano, Kelly Vance, the incumbent, is challenged by Priscilla Shaw. In Elma, Justin Cristelli, the incumbent, is challenged by Jamie Bailey. Elma incumbent Rob Jhanson did not file, leaving the seat open for Bernadette Bower, the only one to file for the position.

The Satsop School District has three positions on the ballot. Only one person, Darlene Reynolds, filed to run. That seat was already vacant. Incumbents Jason Olsen and Kimberly Russell didn’t file to be retained. Those seats will be included in the upcoming special filing period.