Two people are challenging the incumbent council member for Pullman’s 1st Ward in this year’s election, and the candidates will face off in one of the city’s three primaries in August.

The candidates for the position are Eric Fejeran, Hannah Krauss and incumbent Al Sorensen. Fejeran came to Pullman as a student in 2008. He is a quality inspector at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, where he has worked for the past five years.

“I care so much about Pullman … it’s treated me very well over these past nine years,” Fejeran said. “It’s just something like I feel I can donate my time and give back to the community.”

Fejeran serves on the board of the non-profit social service organization United Way, and is also a chair of the Whitman County Democrats.

“A good focus is making sure that everybody’s involved with the community events that are happening in Pullman,” Fejeran said.

He has worked with current City Council members Nathan Weller and Ann Parks, he said. Most recently he assisted the council members in engineering grassroots organizations to help garner public support for the welcoming city resolution passed June 6.

Hannah Krauss works for a marketing and technology firm called Capgemini, an international IT consulting corporation.

“I can live anywhere in the world … so I spent a good couple of years researching where I wanted to live,” Krauss said. “I chose Pullman for a number of reasons.”

Krauss is focused on ensuring the city continues to provide quality education and to make people feel welcome within the community. She also supports the idea of equal rights and opportunity.

“Everyone should have access to the same education … and work opportunities,” Krauss said.

She is a part of Inland Oasis, a volunteer group supporting health and educational programs for LGBTQ communities in the region. The group organizes the annual Palouse Pride event.

Krauss is also the founder of the non-profit organization Palouse UPstanders, which is involved in educating people on social issues, including gender identity, Krauss said.

The 1st Ward incumbent, Al Sorensen, was unable to be reached for comment. Sorenson was the only council member to vote against the recent welcoming city resolution.

According to his biography on the City of Pullman’s website, Sorenson is a Pullman native and graduate of WSU. He owns Pioneer Insurance and has worked in the insurance industry since 1989.

Sorenson is a former member of the Pullman High School Booster Committee, has served on the Pullman Parks and Recreation Commission, and is the founder and president of the Pullman Junior Golf Club.

The primary election is Aug. 1, with ballots mailed to those registered to vote beginning on July 14. The general election will be held on Nov. 7, with ballots mailed on Oct. 20. The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is July 3.