Vancouver City Councilman Jack Burkman said Friday he’ll run for re-election.
Nobody has publicly announced plans to challenge Burkman, a retired Hewlett-Packard engineer elected in 2009 after earlier serving on the council from 1998 to 2001.
Burkman, 58, will learn this week whether he will have an opponent.
Candidates can file starting at 8 a.m. Monday at the Clark County Elections Office, 1408 Franklin St., Vancouver, which closes at 5 p.m.
Candidates must file by 5 p.m. Friday. If filing online at http://clarkvotes.org, the deadline is 4 p.m. Friday.
Burkman said in a statement Friday that he wants to continue “fixing the city’s broken business model, growing our economy, and keeping residents informed and included.”
Maintaining police and fire services is another priority, he said.
“We must look to the future and make every effort to capitalize on the opportunities this new economy offers. And as we build on Vancouver’s strengths, we must also work to preserve our small northwest town charm, maintain public safety, and protect the natural environment that makes this the place we love,” he wrote.
Vancouver City Councilors Jeanne Harris and Jeanne Stewart are also up for re-election this year, as is Mayor Tim Leavitt.
So far, Ty Stober, an initiative manager for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and Alishia Topper, senior director of development for the Fort Vancouver National Trust, have said they will file for Stewart’s seat.
Anne McEnerny-Ogle, chairwoman of the Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance, has said she’ll run against Harris.
Galina Burley, a human services manager for Clackamas County, Ore., has said she’ll run but hasn’t said whether it’ll be against Stewart or Harris.
If more than two candidates file for a position, they’ll face off in an Aug. 6 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
City councilors currently earn $1,781 a month and receive health benefits.
Stephanie Rice: 360-735-4508 or stephanie.rice@columbian.com.
