Candidates running for county office seemed relieved that ballots would be going out soon as a League of Women Voters of Pullman election forum Thursday marked the beginning of the end of the 2018 campaign season.
Two candidates for county commission and two candidates for the auditor’s office took questions from the approximately 40 people gathered at Trinity Lutheran Church. Treasurer candidates did not speak because one had to leave town for a family emergency.
COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES
Audience questions touched on issues from mental health services to poverty to security, circling back to why the candidates would want to run for office.
“Whitman County is home to me,” challenger John-Mark Mahnkey said. “(And) I see a lot of ways the county doesn’t seem to be getting its due.”
Incumbent Michael Largent said he wants to continue working to “light a candle” amid the darkness of national politics. He praised the family feel of the county.
“I love the people I work with,” he said. “It’s a great place.”
Largent said his priorities going forward would be financial sustainability amid spending mandates from the state and implementing a Geographic Information System to help improve the accuracy of district operations.
Mahnkey said he would prioritize giving the commission his full-time attention, making county records more accessible and creating a 311-type portal to collect feedback from constituents.
On tourism and increasing economic development, Mahnkey said a marketing effort would showcase the county’s business and infrastructure assets. He would also seek to expand promotion of scenic destinations to bicyclists and other recreationists.
“It not only brings people into specific towns,” he said, “but into the county to explore.”
Largent said he would support maintenance that creates an environment that attracts visitors. He noted there was little extra funding in the budget for significant new marketing spending.
“The devil is in the details with tourism,” he said.
When asked about their biggest contributors, both thanked their families for support and inspiration. They noted most of their financial donors were friends and neighbors, not big PAC or lobbyists.
“You can’t buy my vote,” Largent said. “You can’t buy John-Mark’s vote.”
Both had primarily funded their campaigns out of savings.
“I actually dipped into my retirement a little bit,” Mahnkey said.
With current county Auditor Eunice Coker retiring, Largent and Mahnkey were asked to offer advice to whomever might take over the job. Largent encouraged them to rely on longstanding county employees who know the system well. Mahnkey ask either of them to feel comfortable coming to him with problems or questions.
“I have faith in you,” he said. “Whoever wins, I’m there for you.”
AUDITOR CANDIDATES
Candidates Eric Fejeran and Sandy Jamison both emphasized the importance of transparency and utilizing resources from the state to improve local operations at the Auditor’s Office. They also pledged to pursue certifications in the office’s many roles to better manage staff and assist with day-to-day duties.
“I lead by example,” Jamison said. “They need to be looking to me for leadership.”
Fejeran said he would lead by listening to feedback from current staff and citizens to set the office’s priorities around their needs. He wants to create an open and reliable environment for the public.
“At its heart, the government is a customer service industry,” he said.
Both candidates voice support for upgrading the county’s website to make it easier to find key information and to improve outreach to younger voters. Fejeran noted he would hope to expand that outreach to a ballot service center for the WSU campus.
“This is the 21st century,” he said. “We definitely need to have that information online.”
Regarding cybersecurity for elections, Jamison said she would tap the county’s IT department to help keep up on security concerns. She would also call in whatever resources might be available at the state level.
Fejeran said issues with election security had helped push faith in public institutions to an all-time low. He said he would work to make sure election equipment is isolated from online connections that might leave it vulnerable. (According to Coker, the official computer used to finalize vote tabulations is already disconnected from any type of internet connection).
When asked why they would seek to take over such a complex and stressful office, Fejeran said the 2016 elections galvanized him to get involved and the Auditor’s office seemed like a place where he could make a positive difference.
“It is a crazy political time,” he said. “I hope to … bring the trust back.”
Jamison said she wants to give back and the job lines up with where she thinks her skills can be of the most service.
“I’m ready,” she said. “It’s a challenge, but I’m excited about it.”
The League of Women Voters has posted video of the entire forum here.
Ballots start going out today. They can be returned via mail — no postage needed. Ballot drop boxes will be open at the CUB on campus, across the street from Paradise Creek Brewery in downtown Pullman and in the alley behind the Whitman County Elections Center in Colfax.
See our Voters Guide.