12 candidates file for Hastings' seat

MOSES LAKE - As expected, it will be a crowded race in the midterm primary election to replace the retiring Rep. Doc Hastings in the 4th Congressional District, and a surprise candidate, Dr. Mohammad Said of Ephrata, will challenge Rep. Judy Warnick for state senator.

Eight Republicans, two Democrats and two independents filed last week to be the next representative in the Central Washington district. The top two vote-getters in the Aug. 5 primary move on to November's general election.

The long list of Republican candidates include current state Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, of Moses Lake; former NFL player Clint Didier of Eltopia, former state agriculture director Dan Newhouse; Kennewick attorney George Cicotte; Ephrata small business owner Gavin Seim; Gordon Pross, of Ellensburg; Glen Stockwell, of Ritzville; and Kevin Midbust, of Richland. Franklin County Commissioner Brad Peck, who previously announce his candidacy, did not file. Both Gary Downing and Jamie Wheeler also withdrew from the race.

The two Democratic candidates include Tony Sandoval and Estakio Beltran, both of Yakima. On Saturday at a meeting in Moses Lake, the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee endorsed Beltran. He was also recently endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council. A Democrat has not represented the district since now Gov. Jay Inslee in 1992.

Josh Ramirez, a Hanford project specialist, and Richard Wright, of Kennewick, both filed as independents.

In the 13th District state senator race, Dr. Mohammad Said, of Ephrata, who previously announced interest in the congressional race, instead filed as a Democratic candidate for senator, challenging current state Rep. Judy Warnick, of Moses Lake. Both are running to fill Holmquist Newbry's seat in the Senate.

He has ran for public office eight times since 1984, attempting to secure positions as governor, senator and as a representative on the state and federal levels, according to his website.

Said is a physician in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Geriatric and Preventative Medicine, who calls himself an expert in healthcare and U.S.-Arab/Muslim Relations. He is also the founder of the American Centrist Movement.

Republican Warnick has represented the 13th District in the House of Representatives since first elected in 2006, and has served on several committees including Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education, High Education, Labor and Workforce Development, Local Government and as a ranking member on the Capital Budget committee.