Every four years, in addition to electing a governor to serve as our state’s chief executive, the people of Washington are called upon to elect several other officers to fill out our state’s executive department, which includes the offices of lieutenant governor, treasurer, auditor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of public lands, insurance commissioner, and secretary of state.
Since 1992, Washington voters have consistently tapped former Pierce County clerk Brian Sonntag to serve as auditor – the official responsible for auditing the state’s public accounts. But earlier this year, Sonntag announced that he had decided to retire after completing his fifth term, prompting three state lawmakers and a former congressional candidate to launch campaigns to succeed him.
The field consists of Democrats Craig Pridemore, Mark Miloscia, and Troy Kelley, along with Republican James Watkins. Two of the four candidates face elimination on Aug. 7; the other two will move on to the November general election. Here is a quick introduction to each of the candidates.
Watkins is a business development consultant and former senior corporate planner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). He is the only Republican in the race. Last cycle, he unsuccessfully challenged Jay Inslee in the old 1st Congressional District, receiving 42 percent of the vote. He had planned on running for Congress again this year, but withdrew in favor of John Koster several months ago and ultimately filed for the position of auditor after Sonntag announced his retirement. He lists his priorities as identifying and promoting ways to increase productivity and reduce costs, fighting fraud and abuse, and being a champion for open government. His website is www.watkinsforauditor.com.
Pridemore is the nominee of the Democratic Party for auditor and is strongly supported by the party’s grassroots core. At present, he serves as one of Washington’s 49 state senators, representing the 49th District (Vancouver area); he is the incumbent chair of the Senate’s Government Operations & Elections Committee. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Pridemore served as a Clark County Commissioner and was the finance manager for the Clark County Department of Public Works, giving him a unique appreciation and understanding of how both local and state government operate. He lists his priorities as promoting long-term reform and efficiency in an era of diminishing revenues, making public services more effective in order to maximize value to taxpayers, and seeking results, not headlines. His website is www.craigpridemore.com.
Miloscia currently represents Washington’s 30th Legislative District as one of its two state representatives. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he worked as the Director of Goodwill Industrial Services in Tukwila prior to his election to the Legislature. In 2005, he sponsored legislation authorizing the state auditor’s office to conduct performance audits of state agencies. He serves on the State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee in the House, as well as the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, like Senator Craig Pridemore. He lists his priorities as restoring voter trust, making Washington the most efficient and effective state in the nation, improving oversight and outcomes, and citizen input into audit selection. His website is www.markmiloscia.com.
Kelley is a lawmaker, small business owner, and former instructor at the U.S. Army’s JAG School. He was first elected to the state House in 2006, a year when Democrats built strong majorities in both houses of the Legislature, and still represents the 28th District (Pierce County). From 2009 to 2011, he chaired the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, and has also served as vice chair of the House’s Financial Institutions Committee. Kelley previously served as an audit team leader at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He continues to serve Washington’s National Guard as a JAG lieutenant colonel. He lists his priorities as defending fiscal integrity and ensuring our tax dollars are used as wisely as possible. His website is www.troykelley.com.
Andrew Villeneuve, a 2005 Redmond High graduate, is the founder and executive director of the Northwest Progressive Institute, a Redmond-based grassroots organization. Villeneuve can be reached at andrew@nwprogressive.org.
