The handful of candidates vying for the seat in the state Legislature being vacated by Rep. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, sounded familiar themes when they met with members of The Columbian’s editorial board on Tuesday.
Wilson is running for the seat held by Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, clearing the way for six candidates to file to replace her.
The candidates voiced opinions that for the most part fell along party lines.
Republican Vicki Kraft, who politically aligns with Wilson and currently works for the Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit think tank that promotes limited government, said the state Legislature needs to address the chronic underfunding of the state’s public schools by budgeting for education first and cutting elsewhere after finding the money needed for schools. Kraft opposes raising taxes and is in favor of the proposed crude-by-rail transfer terminal at the Port of Vancouver.
“I do like (that the oil terminal) will increase jobs and economic development,” Kraft said, adding that ensuring safe travel for the oil tankers is crucial.
Port of Vancouver Commission President Jerry Oliver, instrumental in the approval of a lease for the oil terminal, said his priority is improving the state’s business climate. Oliver, also a Republican, said he is against the idea of raising taxes and believes state agencies’ budgets should be cut, including the Department of Ecology’s, to help pay for education.
Sam Kim, who currently works as Clark County’s chief information officer and has served for 16 years on the Battle Ground school board, is running as an Independent Democrat. He’s using the slogan “building bridges across the aisle and across the river” to illustrate his goal of ending partisan gridlock and making progress toward improving the Interstate 5 corridor.
Democrat Don Orange, owner of a Vancouver auto shop, sees the proposed oil terminal as a threat to the city’s reputation and well-being.
“The basis (of) my campaign is integrity,” Orange said, adding he believes in getting the community involved and holding people accountable.
Rob Frisina is a progressive Democrat and veteran whose goal is to get money out of politics, to take care of people in the community, and to leave the Earth in a better place. He’s an opponent of the oil terminal and said he felt compelled to run because nobody in the race appeared to have the values he would like to see in a representative.
The candidates were asked their opinion of Clark County Councilor David Madore. Kraft, who is one of the more conservative candidates, said she believes Madore is doing what he believes is the best for the residents of Clark County.
Oliver, the other conservative candidate, said Madore is his “brother in Christ” but he is disappointed in Madore’s performance the last couple of years.
“I think his politics have become toxic and disruptive to the council on which he serves,” Oliver said.
Democrat Joshua Egan did not attend the editorial board meeting.
