The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - The primary race for Columbia County Commissioner appears on ballots only in District 3, but it gained visibility earlier this month with the filing of a write-in candidate.

Republican Merle Jackson and Democrat Dain Nysoe filed for the position in May, and only their names appear on ballots. Republican Dwight Richter said he intended to file in May, but held off because of health issues that could have been serious. He was later given doctor's clearance, he said, to go ahead and run.

In some respects, the candidates have a lot in common. All three come from longtime local families...