By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch One of the longest-tenured elected officials in Pierce County faces a strong challenge from a firefighter in the general-election race for Graham Fire and Rescue commissioner. Robert Skaggs, a commissioner since 1990, finished second behind Adam Rosenlund in the primary election in August. Rosenlund, a captain and paramedic with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, received 53 percent of the 5,000-plus votes that were cast. Skaggs finished with 36 percent in the three-way contest to advance along with Rosenlund to the runoff. Ballots for the general election were mailed last week to voters by the Pierce County auditor. Voting will end Nov. 3, the actual election day. To be counted in the results, ballots must be mailed back or deposited in official dropboxes provided by the county. Rosenlund, who is supported by the Graham firefighters union (International Association of Firefighters Local 726), has worked in the fire service for 20 years. He has said that Graham Fire needs a new generation of elected leaders to streamline the district's budget and give the public more transparency in district affairs. "I will be the new voice and the fresh perspective that represents our citizens,GÇ¥ Rosenlund said through his campaign's Facebook page. Skaggs has been a commissioner for 25 years. He is believed to be one of the longest-serving elected officials currently in office countywide. Until retiring, he worked for 34 years as a Pierce County fire marshal investigator. Skaggs contends Rosenlund shouldn't be in the position as a commissioner of making decisions about wages and other work-related issues for Graham firefighters who are members of the same union as him. Skaggs said his opponent is "the union's candidate.GÇ¥ Graham Fire and Rescue's 70-square-miles service area has about 61,000 residents and stretches from 160th Street East and Meridian on the north to Webster Road and State Route 161 on the south, and from approximately Eighth Avenue South and Rice Kandle Road to Orville Road near Electron.
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