The greatest challenge facing the voters of the 49th Legislative District this year will likely be distinguishing between the two Democrats vying to replace longtime lawmaker Rep. Jim Moeller in the Position 2 seat.
Both of the candidates have impressive résumés, relevant experience and are philosophically aligned with the left-leaning district.
On Friday, the candidates hoping to replace Moeller chatted with The Columbian’s editorial board.
When the Democrats were asked to articulate where they differ, former state Rep. Monica Stonier, who represented the 17th Legislative District before moving to the 49th, said her professional background and the work she’s already done in the Legislature makes her the best choice. Current Vancouver City Councilor Alishia Topper said had she served in the Legislature, she would have voted to fund the transportation package that included money to replace the Interstate 5 Bridge. Stonier did not vote in favor of the transportation package.
Carolyn Crain, a Republican who is running for the seat for a third time, quipped, “I’m probably different than almost everybody.”
Crain, 57, who is retired and once owned an electronics store, has been actively engaged in the community’s political scene for years. She can often be found at the Vancouver City Council and Clark County council meetings. She recently helped form the Republicans of Clark County, a conservative countermovement critical of the leadership of the Clark County Republican Party.
Topper, 38, who is a director of strategic partnerships with Vancouver Public Schools, has served on the city council for about two years. If she is elected to the state House, she will resign her city council seat, and the council would appoint a replacement.
Stonier, 39, is a former middle school teacher and now an instructional coach at Pacific Middle School. While in the state Legislature, she served as vice chair of the House Education Committee.
One of the biggest issues expected to face lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session is how to adequately fund the state’s public school system. Both Stonier and Topper said they are open to identifying new, sustainable streams of revenue, including raising taxes. That’s a departure for Stonier, who while representing the 17th legislative district said she wouldn’t vote to raise taxes and didn’t. Stonier said the economy is improving and noted the constituents of the 49th Legislative District are more open to the idea of taxes funding public schools.
Crain said she’s not in favor of raising taxes and is looking forward to lawmakers clarifying the actual costs to fund the state’s basic education.
As the campaign continues, Stonier could come under fire for moving legislative districts.
She said her family did consider Moeller’s retirement when considering the move, but that wasn’t the only reason.
Stonier said it would be foolish to base a huge family move solely on the potential she might be able to secure a legislative seat, adding all the work she did in the state Legislature was to benefit the state, not simply one legislative district.
Republican Wade McLaren, who is also running for the Position 2 seat, was invited but unable to attend the editorial board meeting.
