The apparent retirement of eight-term Clark County Treasurer Doug Lasher and two candidates filing to run for his position is one of several surprises that came at the end of filing week.
Friday marked the end of the period where political hopefuls officially file for elected office. Alishia Topper, a Vancouver City Council member and tax services manager in the treasurer’s office, announced she would run for her boss’ job shortly before filing. Robert Hinds, a market planning manager for Hewlett-Packard who hadn’t announced his run and couldn’t be reached for comment, has also filed. Neither candidate is affiliating their campaign with a political party.
All three county council candidates are now officially standing for re-election.
In District 1, incumbent Republican Jeanne Stewart filed Friday afternoon. Stewart, a conservative who found herself representing a liberal urban district after the county adopted its Home Rule Charter in 2014, had previously declined to say if she would run. She’s being challenged by Democrats Jim Moeller, a former state representative, and Temple Lentz, a former Clark County freeholder. A fourth candidate, Veny Razumovsky, is running for the seat with the CascadiaNow Party.
In District 2, Republican Clark County Councilor Julie Olson drew a conservative challenger from her own party when Elisabeth Veneman filed for the position on Thursday.
For county chair, Marc Boldt, no party preference, drew a challenge Friday from Battle Ground resident Christy Stanley, who will run as a Democrat. Stanley has complained that the county’s prohibition on marijuana businesses prevents her from opening a recreational marijuana store in the unincorporated part of the county. She joins Democrat Eric Holt and Republican County Councilor Eileen Quiring in challenging Boldt.
Ridgefield City Councilor Darren Wertz will challenge Republican county Assessor Peter Van Nortwick in his bid for re-election. Wertz, who is running as a Republican, is joined by Norbert Schlecht, who isn’t affiliated with a party and hadn’t made a prior announcement.
Democratic Clark County Prosecutor Tony Golik, Republican Sheriff Chuck Atkins and Republican county Auditor Greg Kimsey are all running unopposed. Earlier in the week, Republican Clark County Clerk Scott Weber drew Democratic challenger Barbara Melton, who works as a legal secretary in the prosecutor’s office.
City council race
Five candidates filed for the special election for Vancouver City Council. Earlier this year, county planner Laurie Lebowsky was appointed to fill the term of Scott Campbell, who died during the campaign season but beat Maureen McGoldrick in November.
Lebowsky is running to retain her seat. Sarah Fox, another familiar face, filed for the position Friday. Fox is a senior planner for the city of Camas. She made it to the final round of interviews in February for the position but was not ultimately selected.
McGoldrick has also filed for the position. Political newcomer Adam Shelter and community leader Mary Elkin are also running.
Legislative races
With the previously announced exception of Republican state Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, all of Clark County’s state representatives filed for re-election.
In the 17th Legislative District, Democrats Tanisha Harris, a former candidate for county council, and anti-poverty activist James Tolson filed to challenge state Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver. Both had previously announced their bids. Democrat Damion Jiles, a resident of Ridgefield and Army veteran, will challenge state Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver for the other seat in that district.
In the 18th Legislative District, state Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Felida, will be challenged by Democrat Chris Thobaben, a small business owner and reserve officer in the United States Marine Corps.
In the same district, Democrat Kathy Gillespie, a former director for Vancouver Public Schools, will square off with Republican Larry Hoff, a former credit union executive, for Pike’s seat.
No one filed to challenge Democratic state Representatives Sharon Wylie and Monica Stonier in the 49th Legislative District.
Federal races
In the race for the 3rd Congressional District, Democratic activist Dorothy Gasque, who has been campaigning for the seat, officially filed on Friday. Vancouver entrepreneur Martin Hash, previous candidate David McDevitt and Washington State University Vancouver professor Carolyn Long also have filed as Democrats. The seat is currently held by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground. Two other Republicans, Michael Cortney and Earl Bowerman are also running.
Vancouver’s Joey Gibson filed to run as a Republican for the seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. Brad Chase and RC Smith are the other Vancouver residents in the field of 30 Senate candidates.
Judy Chipman and Sherry Erickson filed earlier in the week to run for the District 1 Position on the Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners currently held by Jim Malinowski.
Clark County Elections Supervisor Cathie Garber said that the website listing candidates who have filed may be updated today to account for any filings staff were unable to process at the end of Friday.
