Vancouver City Council seat a math game

Laurie Lebowsky took office 174 days ago. But due to the unusual circumstances that led to her earning a seat on the dais, she’s now defending her position as a member of the Vancouver City Council.

For those who may not recall, the 2017 race for City Council Position 1 — held by Jack Burkman, who did not seek re-election — took an unexpected turn when candidate Scott Campbell died before Election Day. Nonetheless he beat Maureen McGoldrick with 62.1 percent of the vote.

Since Campbell had died, the rest of the council had to make an appointment. A request for applicants resulted in 56 candidates, a field narrowed to six in February. Lebowsky was appointed Feb. 5 and sworn in on Feb. 12.

Appointees are required to run for office in the next election. Since being sworn in, Lebowsky has been running a campaign. She faces four challengers on Tuesday. The top two candidates advance to the general election.

Two of Lebowsky’s opponents were also finalists for the appointment, Mary Elkin and Sarah Fox. The other candidates are McGoldrick and newcomer Adam Shetler.

The winner in the November will serve the final three years of the term.

Jim Mains, campaign strategist with High Five Media, said when he looks at the race, he sees three amazing candidates.

“I think they all respect each other and all see the three of them have great potential,” Mains said of Lebowsky, Elkin and Fox.

But Mains said you also can’t write off McGoldrick — she won 16.57 percent of the vote in last year’s primary, despite limited campaigning.

“It’s a math game,” he said.

Lebowsky, Elkin and Fox each have endorsements from different sectors.

Lebowsky has received endorsements from Port of Vancouver Commissioner Don Orange, state Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, and fellow City Councilor Alishia Topper.

Fox has been endorsed by state Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, and Latte Da owner Scott Flury.

Elkin not only has the backing of Vancouver Fire Fighters Local 452 and the Vancouver Police Officers Guild, but Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and Mayor Pro Tem Bart Hansen.

Those endorsements are game-changers, Mains said.

Lebowsky has incumbent status, which typically serves as a boost in any race, but the backing of council leadership may level the playing field between Lebowsky and Elkin, he said.

Elkin’s endorsement from McEnerny-Ogle and Hansen doesn’t come as a surprise. Neither voted to appoint Lebowsky.

Hansen said it’s nothing against Lebowsky, but he and the mayor have a history with Elkin and know where she falls on the issues.

“Mary is the choice because we’ve worked together,” he said.

Lebowsky said she isn’t surprised either, but isn’t too concerned.

“Although endorsements are good to have, voters are most interested in what qualifications you have and whether candidates listen to voters and how candidates plan to address the major issues affecting our community,” she said.

Mains said endorsements aside, the race will likely come down to which candidates can break into the community and get their names in front of the broadest group of voters.