Correction: The Courier-Herald mnisreported that Black Diamond Council member Tamie Deady was running for mayor unopposed. This is incorrect; residents John Adler and Geoff Bowie are also running for the position. The article has been updated.

With filing week over, Enumclaw, Black Diamond, and Buckley can be pretty sure who is going to be on the August election ballot.

And locals in all three cities can expect changes to come to city hall as three mayoral hopefuls are running uncontested.

In Enumclaw, it appears current Council member Anthony Wright has put his name down to be the city’s executive to replace outgoing Mayor Molinaro.

“I look forward to continuing to serve our community and all the people who call Enumclaw home. I consider public service one of the most fulfilling areas of my life,” Wright said. “The opportunity to serve as mayor, to represent the citizens of the city of Enumclaw, I take with the greatest sense of duty and responsibility. We will continue to work each and every day with the citizens at the center of everything that we do.”

Molinaro declined to comment on stepping down at this time, but said he will submit a statement closer to the end of his term.

With Wright gunning for mayor, that means the council will have to appoint a member for Position 6 as soon as the newly elected officials are sworn in.

The rest of the council seats up for grabs are contested races to replace Council members Bobby Martinez and Chris Gruner.

Vying for Position No. 3 will be Adella King and Sabrina Solmonsen-Waterhouse.

“… For over 12 years, I’ve worked in the heart of our downtown where I’ve had a front-row seat to our town’s growth, challenges, and opportunities,” Solmonsen-Waterhouse said. “… I love this town and I’m committed to protecting what makes Enumclaw special while helping it thrive.”

“In a world where change is happening at lightning speed, we are fortunate to live in a community that still feels grounded, safe and connected. As a nearly 30-year resident and local business owner, I am running for City Council to preserve what makes our community a truly special place to live, raise a family, run a business and build a life,” King said. “I am committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe, our development balanced, while supporting small businesses and making sure our voices heard.”

Incumbent Council member Tom Sauvageau will be running against Brodie Smith and Dixie Boush for Position 5; Ed Storton and Breanna Hott are gunning for Position 7.

“My run for city council is to ensure the integrity of our family community while maintaining limited growth,” Smith, a 30-year resident, said. “I understand there will be a need to expand our town yet preferably not at such a rapid growth as to become similar to some surrounding towns that have exploded overnight.”

Boush, Storton, and Hott did not return a request for comment.

The Courier-Herald was unable to reach out to Sauvageau before print deadline.

BLACK DIAMOND

Black Diamond is having a similar shakeup.

Mayor Carol Benson has opted to not run again, marking an end to her 11 years of service as Black Diamond’s executive since she was appointed in December 2014.

“I am proud to have seen many important projects completed during my tenure, and many more in the queue. My vision is to spend more time with my family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I also like to travel and spend time at my home on Lake Sawyer, where I have lived for over 45 years,” Benson said.

Vying for her position is Council member Tamie Deady and residents John Adler and Geoff Bowie.

“When Mayor Benson announced she was not seeking a third term, I didn’t hesitate to put my name in the running to be your next Mayor,” Boxx-Deady said. “I look forward to representing the citizens of Black Diamond in a new role, and with the same passion, integrity and open and honest leadership.”

“As a lifelong Washington resident, I’ve seen how growth can challenge the identity of a small town like Black Diamond,” Adler said. “I’m running for mayor to help strengthen the connection between all residents—whether you’ve been here for generations or are just beginning to write your story here. Every voice deserves to be heard.”

“Black Diamond needs both experience and positive new energy at City Hall, and that’s what I will bring if elected Mayor,” Bowie said. “Unfortunately, poor planning and mismanagement are causing declining public services. Key projects for roads, parks, and public safety were supposed to be operational by now with new growth, but the city is not enforcing developer agreements… Working with the public, I will implement serious and practical solutions, as well as meaningful standards on future development so that we are no longer caught off-guard by predictable needs.”

If Boxx-Deady wins the race, a new council member will have to be appointed.

There are three contested races this year.

Possibly the most exciting is Position 6, a race between Dan Dal Santo, Jack Nielsen, and Johnathan Englund.

Then is Position 4, where incumbent Council member Leih Mulvihill will be vying for votes against Mario Sorci, a long-time council hopeful.

”In 1994 I adopted Black Diamond as my hometown. I raised a family here, I’ve owned a business here, and through all my volunteer efforts, I’ve worked to enhance and protect the character of Black Diamond,” Mulvihill said. “I hope to continue my work for all our residents because I love this town.”

Sorci did submit a comment before the May 12 print deadline.

Finally is Position 5, with incumbent Council member Jesse Young against Geoff Bowie.

”Black Diamond is already rooted in something rare—real community, shared pride, and a spirit of possibility. With the right leadership, we can become a model for what a modern 21st-century small town can be. I may live in Ten Trails, but my commitment is to the entire city,” Young said in an email statement. “As a council member, I’m focused on investing in public safety, infrastructure, and growth that reflects our values. I want to help write the next chapter of Black Diamond—one built on care, opportunity, and a shared future.”

Incumbent Sarah Nielsen is running uncontested for Position 2.

BUCKLEY

Elections will be much simpler in Buckley than in Enumclaw and Black Diamond.

First, there are no contested elections.

But there will be a change at the top, with Mayor Beau Burkett declining to file; stepping up to the plate is Buckley Chamber of Commerce President Carolyn Robertson Harding.

Additionally, Council members Kenny Arsanto and Ron Smith are running unopposed for their seats, and newcomer Robert Wohlfeil for Position 2.

ENUMCLAW SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Enumclaw School District has just two positions to vote on this time around, both contested.

For ESD Board Director District 2, incumbent Director Julianne DeShayes is being challenged by Tara Cochran.

“I’m running for reelection to the school board because I care deeply about the quality of education in our community. I want to ensure all students have access to opportunities that help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally,” DeShayes said. “I believe in transparent leadership, open and honest communication, and finding ways to work together to support success for all students.”

“As a parent of two teenagers in Enumclaw and an educator with twenty years of experience, I’m running for school board because I care deeply about our community,” Cochran said. “My top priority is upholding parents’ rights to raise their children and be active, valued partners in their education. Schools must collaborate with families and respect their voices in key decisions, while classrooms remain focused on academic excellence and equipping all students to succeed.”

And for District 5, incumbent Director Paul Fisher will be running against Malia Ebner.

“I’m running for reelection because there are important priorities that are underway in the district and I want to see them through to completion; to include; the building of a new elementary school in Black Diamond, continuing the positive trend in student academic performance and ensuring the district continues to be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars,” Fisher said.

“I’m thrilled to be running for a seat on the school board to represent Enumclaw families and help effectively manage the resources of the school district. I believe my position will help play a part in equipping our children with the skills and knowledge necessary to become contributing members of our community,” Ebner said. “Having the opportunity to raise my children here in Enumclaw has been a blessing, and I look forward to contributing to this beautiful place we all call home.”

WHITE RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

There is no contest over at the White River School District.

Incumbents Denise Vogel is slated for District 1, James Johnson for District 3, and Cassie Pearson for District 4.