The incumbent Republican legislators in the 18th District will apparently keep their seats — at least according to Tuesday night’s preliminary results.
Position 2 House seat
The closest race is between state Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, and challenger Kathy Gillespie, an independent Democrat from Salmon Creek who heads the school board for Vancouver Public Schools. Pike captured 54.76 percent of the vote and Gillespie 45.05 percent Tuesday night.
“I’m just really glad that my message of less government, lower taxes and more freedom resonates with the majority of citizens in the 18th District,” Pike said.
Gillespie said she thinks late ballots could give her a boost. If not elected, she intends to stay on the school board and find other opportunities to do what’s “best for the community.”
Pike has been in the House since 2012, first appointed and then elected. When she ran to keep her seat two years ago, she won with about 59 percent of the vote.
Position 1 House seat
Early results indicate state Rep. Brandon Vick will keep his spot in the House. Vick, R-Felida, received 61.23 percent of the vote in the 18th Legislative District race for the Position 1 seat, while political newcomer Justin Oberg, a Democrat, got 38.62 percent of the vote.
“It’s gratifying to know that many people approve of a four-year track record,” Vick said of his years in the Legislature. “We’re happy with what happened and ready to get back to work.”
When Vick ran for re-election in 2014, he won with 63 percent of the vote.
Oberg said he enjoyed getting to know people in his district and said he didn’t have any negative experiences while campaigning.
“This was honestly one the best experiences I’ve ever had in my whole life. Running for office, I like to tell people, is a crash course in everything,” Oberg said.
Senate seat
Incumbent state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, apparently won re-election with 61.7 percent of the vote in the race for the 18th District Senate seat. Challenger and newcomer to politics Eric Holt, a Democrat, captured 38.14 percent of the vote as of Tuesday night.
Rivers said she is glad that voters have asked her back and plans to get her agenda in the Senate squared away and outline what she wants to do during the next four years.
“I’m deeply appreciative to the people of our district. They’re once again placing their faith and trust in me,” Rivers said.
Rivers previously served in the House and won the 2012 Senate election with just under 68 percent of the vote.
Holt, meanwhile, is eager to find out what happens when the rest of the ballots come in.
“With such an amazing team, we’ve really blown expectations out of the water,” he said.
