CAMAS — Airline pilot John Ley has withdrawn from the race for the 18th District, Position 2 seat in the Washington House of Representatives.
Ley announced his candidacy in late August shortly after current state Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, announced she would seek the Clark County Council chair seat instead. Pike withdrew from the county race in January.
Ley first got involved with local politics when he began opposing the Columbia River Crossing, a $3 billion bridge project that died in 2013. Since, he has said his goal is to advocate for transportation issues and help residents who have issues with state government. Ley was one of three seeking Pike’s seat. He had yet to report any campaign contributions. Larry Hoff, a Republican, has reported $47,000 in contributions. But leading the pack is Democrat Kathy Gillespie with more than $76,500 in contributions to date.
Ley said in a press release that his personal life has changed and he can no longer commit 100 percent of his time and energy to the position.
“As time allows, I will continue to fight for what is right on behalf of the people,” he said in a release.
