Paul Gonzales

MOUNT VERNON -

One of the most crowded fields in the state started early. But now, just a week after the filing deadline, one stands alone as the party nominee with the district's sole endorsement.

Up in the Northwest corner of Washington, encompassing all of San Juan County and portions of Whatcom and Skagit Counties, the 40th Legislative District has long been a Democratic stronghold, with a full delegation of Democrats and a retiring state Senator, Harriet Spanel, who has held the seat for sixteen years.

Early on, six Democrats entered the race. San Juan County Councilman Kevin Ranker, Whatcom for Obama organizer Stephanie Kontouros, former State Trooper Paul Gonzales, Democratic activist Hue Beattie, Port of Anacortes Commissioner Steve Hopley and former Whatcom County Councilman Ken Henderson all filed with the Public Disclosure Commission, but once the field became so large, Hopley changed his affiliation to independent and then a few weeks later dropped his bid and endorsed Henderson.

40th LD Democratic Senate candidates meet/Politicker Photo

Kevin RankerSan Juan Island Democrat Kevin Ranker won the 40th Legislative District's Democratic nomination Sunday, prevailing over field of five Democrats, the deepest in the state for any race, vying for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Harriet Spanel.

Ranker won on the first round of balloting. He received 260 weighted Precinct Committee Officer votes, 54 percent of the total. Hue Beatty (D-Bellingham) came in second with 94 votes (20 percent) followed by Ken Henderson (D-Bellingham) with 78 (16 percent) and Stephanie Kountouros (D-Bellingham) with 48 (10 percent). Paul Gonzales (D- Mount Vernon) did not receive any PCO votes.

The Bellingham Herald is reporting that the race for retiring Sen. Harriet Spanel's seat in the 40th LD has grown by two already this week.

The coordinator of Whatcom for Obama, Stephanie Kountouros (D-Bellingham), and a 22-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol, Paul Gonzales (D-Mount Vernon) are the latest entrants into a contest that now has six candidates.

Paul Gonzales' press release announcing his candidacy can be seen here.