ON THE HORIZON: Filing deadline for Mayor and two Town Council members less than 5 months away
Filing runs from May 5 to May 9
Friday, January 17, 2025
by Jeff Noedel
Elections will be held on November 4 for Friday Harbor Mayor and Town Council members positions 3 and 4. Each of the positions will be elected to four-year terms.
Filing for these offices will occur May 5 to May 9.
Every odd-numbered year, three positions are elected. In one cycle (including the 2025 cycle) the Mayor and two Council Members (3 and 4) are elected. In the following odd-year (next will be 2027) the other three Council Members will be elected (1, 2, and 5). This system is specified by State law.
If three or more candidates file for any of these positions and do not withdraw by the deadline of May 12 at 5:00 p.m., a primary election will take place on August 5. This primary will determine the top two vote-getters, who will then advance to the general election in November.
Incumbents are:
- Mayor Ray Jackson, who has served as Mayor since 2022
- Position 3 Council Member Anna Maria de Freitas, who has served on the Council continuously since 2008
- Position 4 Council Member Mason Turnage, who has served on the Council since 2022
The annual salary for the Mayor of Friday Harbor is $13,464. Mayoral duties and powers include:
- votes in the case of ties (except on issues regarding the payment of money or granting franchises)
- appoints and can terminate the Town Administrator, Town Attorney, Town Clerk, Town Marshall, and Town Engineer
The annual salary for each Council member elected in November will be $5,508 plus $61.20 per meeting.
The Town of Friday Harbor government operates a general fund of approximately $5 million annually, which can grow many millions more through grants. The Town also operates utilities. All in, the current Town of Friday Harbor budget is roughly $41 million.
Denice Kulseth, Friday Harbor Town Administrator, said, “People who run for Mayor or Town Council do it out of a sense of civic duty, certainly not for the money. Most of our elected officials have jobs or run a business. That means these positions tend to draw people who care deeply about our town, because much like serving on the School Board or the Hospital Board, they are largely volunteers. Friday Harbor is really fortunate to have long-time, dedicated public servants working on our behalf.”
To see the terms of all the Town elected offices, click here.
To read about Washington State law that governs towns, click here.
