49th District
Voters will choose between two politically-aligned Democratic candidates to represent them in the 49th Legislative District this November.
Monica Stonier and Alishia Topper combined to capture nearly two-thirds of the votes.
Both Stonier, who took the lead with 37.3 percent of the vote, and Topper, with 28.0 percent, have impressive r?sum?s. Stonier represented the 17th Legislative District before moving to the 49th District. She is a former middle school teacher and currently an instructional coach at Pacific Middle School.
They are vying for the seat held by longtime Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, who is bidding to unseat Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas.
Stonier and Topper fended off Republican challengers Carolyn Crain, who captured 18.1 percent, and Wade McLaren, who had 16.5 percent.
“We’re going to continue to run a strong, positive campaign on my accomplishments, my record, the things I stand for and my personal background,” Stonier said. “I think that will be a distinction.”
Topper is a director of strategic partnerships with Vancouver Public Schools and has served on the city council for about two years. If she is elected to the state House, she said she will resign her city council seat, and the council would appoint a replacement.
“The biggest thing that will differentiate us is my familiarity with the district, the fact that I’ve been working on the ground as a city councilor,” Topper said, adding, “The issues that are important to people are affordable housing, the issue with the oil terminal and I just have to let people know the work I’ve been doing.”
Incumbent Cleveland wins 58 percent
In the race for the 49th Legislative District Senate seat, incumbent Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, took the lead with 57.57 percent of the vote. She will face Republican Lewis Gerhardt, who captured 31.24 percent, in November.
Democrat Vaughn Gregor Henderson, with 5.97 percent, and Independent Justin Forsman, with 4.9 percent, are out.
Both candidates vying for the 49th Legislative District House seat, Position 1, will move on to the general election, thanks to Washington’s top-two primary system.
Incumbent Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, who captured more than 72 percent of the vote, and political newcomer Democrat Kaitlyn Beck, with 22 percent of the vote, advance to November.
