ELECTIONS 2025: Candidate withdraws from hospital board race
Kira Erickson reports on the primary election for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Though his name will still appear on the primary election ballot, Theodore Smith has decided to drop out of the race for a seat on the public hospital district board.
In an email to the News-Times on Friday, Smith said he is withdrawing because he and his wife have decided to move to be near one of their sons in the state of New York.
Other candidates for Position 5 on the WhidbeyHealth board include Morgan Cooper, Kirk Gasper and Dennis Rochier. Two will advance to the general election in November, but if Smith is one of the two who gets the most votes, a vacancy will be created and filled by the district’s board via a special appointment process, according to the Island County Elections Office.
On the Ballot in 2025
WHIDBEY ISLAND PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT Commissioner, Position 3
James Canby
Christina LeClaire
Incumbent Ron Wallin did not file for another term.Commissioner, Position 4
Mark E. Borden
Juliann Althoff
Incumbent Greg Richardson did not file for another term.Commissioner, Position 5
Dennis Rochier
Kirk Gasper
Morgan Cooper
Theodore C. Smith
Incumbent Kate Rose passed away on April 24, 2025. The remaining commissioners will appoint a replacement to serve until the results of the November election are certified.Candidates are listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot. Position 5, having more than two candidates, will appear on the August primary ballot; the other two positions will not appear on the ballot until the November general election.
