Pierce County 2022 Primary: Here's What's On The Ballot This August

TACOMA, WA — Pierce County has finalized the slate of candidates and ballot measures that voters will see on their August primary ballots, and it looks to be a pretty crowded field. The candidate filing window closed on May 20, and Monday was the last day for candidates to withdraw from consideration.

Now, voters can know exactly what to expect as 488 candidates compete for 363 offices that are up for election around the region.

On the federal level, Sen. Patty Murray's seat is up for election and she will face 17 challengers in the primary, including Democrats and Republicans, independents and unaffiliated candidates.

Three Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives will also appear on August ballots: Reps. Derek Kilmer, Marilyn Strickland, and Kim Schrier. Schrier, who flipped the 8th District in 2018 and was reelected in 2020, could face an especially strong challenge this year, attracting some high-profile Republicans, including King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Matt Larkin, and Jesse Jensen. Jensen ran against Schrier in the 2020 general election and was defeated by less than four points.

Strickland, the former mayor of Tacoma, is running for re-election for the first time, having secured her seat back in 2020. Derek Kilmer has held the 6th congressional district since 2013.

A central race on the state level will be the race for Secretary of State, with eight candidates vying for the job. Longtime Republican incumbent Kim Wyman stepped down late last year to accept an appointment in the Biden administration. Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs to fill the role, and he is on the ballot seeking a full term. His challengers include Julie Anderson, the Pierce County Auditor, who is running as a nonpartisan.

Pierce County Council's districts 1, 5, and 7 are also up for grabs, including the seat of current Council Chairman Derek Young. Young cannot run for re-election because of term limits, but five candidates have filed to run for his seat. District 5 incumbent Marty Campbell will face challenger Nancy Dailey Slotnick, and Dave Morell, who currently holds the District 1 seat, will face Timothy Tooker.

Also of note: some voters will also be asked to weigh in on levies, depending on where they live. Five resolutions have been submitted in total, one to fund emergency services in Eatonville, two supporting Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, another for South Pierce Fire & Rescue and the last for Fire Protection District No. 5 in Gig Harbor.

Pierce County voters still have plenty of time to research candidates seeking office in this year's August primaries, with ballots scheduled to hit mailboxes in mid-summer. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters starting July 15, and drop boxes will open around the region the next day. All ballots will be due back no later than 8 p.m. on Aug. 2.

Here are a few links to get a head start on primary season in Pierce County:

• Learn which candidates on the ballot.
• Learn about the 2022 precinct changes.
• Check if you are registered to vote.