Jan Baker

Three Democrats threw their hats into the election ring as candidates for seats on the Wallowa County Board of Commissioners within a few days of Tuesday’s filing deadline for the May 20 primary.

Dan Putnam of Flora filed for the top spot on the BOC, Position 1, now filled by Mike Hayward. Hayward and fellow commissioner Ben Boswell, both Republicans, previously filed as candidates for the board chair seat.

Jan Baker of Enterprise and Jean Grandi of rural Enterprise have both filed to run for Boswell’s present slot, Position 2, on the board. Republican Susan Roberts, former mayor of Enterprise, became a candidate for that position in January.

Putnam is owner of the Flora and Fauna Tree Farm and Nursery in the Flora area, and has also worked at a school for the blind for 18 years.

Baker is a former Wallowa County juvenile services director who has been involved the last few years with Generations of Hope, a support organization for families with Huntington’s disease.

Grandi, who squeaked in as a candidate just before the Tuesday 5 p.m. deadline, was a member of the Enterprise City Council before moving outside the city limits last year. She is a retired registered nurse/nurse practitioner.

In another filing, incumbent Gay Fregulia has filed for another term as Wallowa County Assessor, a position she has held for the past 10 years.

Other candidates for election for county office are incumbent Fred Steen and former deputy John Campbell, running for Wallowa County Sheriff; and Shonelle Dutcher, who is the lone candidate for Wallowa County Treasurer.