County commissioner candidate Barca seeks signatures instead of paying filing fee

filing fee.

Battle Ground resident Ron Barca, a lean practitioner at Boeing Commercial Aircraft in Gresham, Ore., who serves on the county planning commission, said this week he’s running a grass-roots campaign and plans to rely only on donations from individuals rather than lobbying groups.

He said he’d rather put contributions toward his campaign than pay a filing fee to the county.

He plans to submit 1,200 signatures on May 14, the first day of filing week. That’s 178 names more than necessary but leaves him room in case some signatures are invalid.

Kimsey said elections employees will verify the signatures, which they do by looking up the voter’s scanned signature and comparing it with the signature on the petition. Kimsey said employees can verify approximately 25 signatures an hour, so it will take two employees about three eight-hour days.

Barca, 56, a Democrat, is running against Republican Commissioner Tom Mielke, 70, and Democrat Joe Tanner, 65.

The top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, in the Aug. 7 primary will advance to the Nov. 6 general election.

Tanner leads the way in raising money. According to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, Tanner has received $30,725 in cash contributions, while Mielke has received $5,833 and Barca has received $1,990.

In the primary, the candidates run districtwide. Mielke represents north county; the district reaches as far south as parts of Hazel Dell.

Commissioner candidates run countywide in the general election.

Commissioners currently earn $102,228 a year.

People who sign the petition must be registered to vote in Clark County.

For a list of businesses that have petitions, go to http://www.ronbarca4clarkcounty.com.

Stephanie Rice: 360-735-4508 or stephanie.rice@columbian.com.