Fourth District Humboldt County Supervisor Natalie Arroyo (left) and Fifth District hopeful Mary Burke. | Photos via County of Humboldt and submitted.

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National political intrigue broke into full stride this week, with high-stakes primaries in Texas and North Carolina, but here in Humboldt it’s looking like the “race” for two seats on the county’s board of supervisors may be a snooze-fest.

As things currently stand, incumbent Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo is running unopposed as she seeks a second four-year term on the board. Time is quickly running out for any aspiring challengers. (The Fourth District encompasses Eureka, Myrtletown, Fairhaven and environs. See map here.)

Friday at 5 p.m. is the deadline to file the necessary paperwork with the Humboldt County Office of Elections if you’re planning to challenge Arroyo. (You’ll need a declaration of candidacy and candidate statement of qualifications. More info here.)

Up in the Fifth District (which includes McKinleyville, Willow Creek, Orick and everything in between), incumbent Steve Madrone is not seeking re-election. However, he nominated an heir apparent nearly a year ago, endorsing McKinleyville ecologist Mary Burke. 

Burke, who has served on the McKinleyville Community Services District, the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee (MMAC) and the Friends of the Arcata Marsh Board of Directors, also has no challengers at this relatively late stage in the race. 

However, because the incumbent (Madrone) is bowing out, candidates are given a few extra days to submit their paperwork. If you’re hoping to run against Burke, you’ll need to get your declaration of candidacy and nomination documents in to the Elections Office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11.

Again, more information on the statewide June 2 primary election can be found on the Elections Office website