Candidates for federal, state and local offices continued to file Tuesday with the Clark County Elections Office.
Filing week kicked off Monday, with candidates able to file in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday at the elections office, 1408 Franklin St., Vancouver.
The race for the 17th Legislative District’s Senate seat is expected to be an important one. After serving 22 years, Sen. Don Benton announced earlier this year he won’t seek re-election.
Rep. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, filed Monday to succeed him. Democrat Tim Probst filed after The Columbian’s deadline on Monday evening. Benton and Probst faced off four years ago, with Probst, a former state representative, losing by a mere 76 votes. The outcome of the race could determine whether Republicans or Democrats control the state’s Senate.
Second-day filings for Southwest Washington partisan offices as of 5 p.m. Tuesday
• 14th Legislative District (includes a portion of east Clark County): Senate: Curtis King, Republican (incumbent).
• 17th Legislative District: Senate: Tim Probst, Democrat.
• 20th Legislative District (includes a portion of north Clark County): State representative, Position 1: Richard DeBolt, Republican (incumbent).
• 49th Legislative District: State representative, Position 2: Carolyn Crain, Republican.
In the 49th Legislative District, two Democrats had already filed to replace liberal Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, who is expected to file for the open lieutenant governor’s seat. Both former Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, and Vancouver City Councilor Alishia Topper are running. Perennial Republican candidate Carolyn Crain filed for the seat Tuesday.
Also on the ballot this year are all 10 Clark County Superior Court judges. So far, nine of the 10 incumbents have filed for new terms; none has an opponent. Judge David Gregerson has yet to file.
The primary election for all state and local offices will be Tuesday, Aug. 2.
A complete list of open elective offices with their filing fees and a copy of the 2016 Candidate Guide are available at the elections office or at www.clark.wa.gov/elections/candidates.
Candidates can also file at www.clark.wa.gov/elections until 4 p.m. Friday. Candidates must have a valid email address to file online.
