Whitman County IT Director Chris Nelson takes on a fellow Republican in the race for county treasurer, running on a platform of improving efficiency throughout the office and bringing a more proactive leadership approach to its operations.
Due to a family emergency, she has travelled out of the area and declined to respond to recent interview requests. This post will be updated if she becomes available.
Republican candidate Nelson, 63, of Endicott, faces one-term incumbent Mark Clinton, 47, of Colfax, for the county treasurer position. Ballots must be dropped off or postmarked by the Nov. 6 election.
Nelson has worked for Whitman County since 2009. She hails from Oklahoma where she served eight years as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and later worked for an episcopal church. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of Oklahoma.
Both Nelson and Clinton have kept campaign contributions to less than $5,000, which requires minimal reporting to the state’s Public Disclosure Commission.
The Treasurer’s Office oversees collecting, investment and distribution of tax revenue as well as managing accounts for taxing districts within the county. The position is full-time and will make $75,840 a year.
Nelson posted on her campaign Facebook page that despite a lifetime of service, she never thought she would run for public office.
“However, the last several years while working closely with the Treasurer and the staff I find myself seeing things that can be improved, that can be enhanced, that can be more proactive in such areas as cash handling and cash management than they are at present,” she wrote. “So, instead of being a back seat driver, I am challenging myself to be right up front to make things happen.”
ADDITIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE
League of Women Voters: Did not respond to questionnaire
Palouse ProActive: Did not respond to questionnaire
Lewiston Tribune, Sept. 28: Incumbent faces rare challenge for Whitman County treasurer
Two Whitman County employees face off Nov. 6 in the county’s first contested treasurer’s race since 1998.
Daily News, Sept. 27: Clinton, Nelson spar for treasurer’s seat
After running unopposed in the 2014 election, Whitman County Treasurer Mark Clinton will face his first opponent, Chris Nelson, for the upcoming term.
Daily Evergreen, Aug. 1: Clinton, Nelson face off for treasurer in front of voters
Republican incumbent Mark Clinton and Democratic challenger Christina Nelson answered questions at a forum held by the League of Women Voters of Pullman at the Whitman County Library in Colfax on July 17.