Clark County Council Chair Marc Boldt misstates endorsement

Clark County Council Chair Marc Boldt said a mix-up caused him to falsely state that he was endorsed by the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council in his bid for re-election.

On Sunday, The Columbian published responses from a candidate questionnaire sent to Boldt and his challengers, Democrat Eric Holt and Republican Clark County Councilor Eileen Quiring. Included, along with excerpts of their responses, was information on their backgrounds as well as any notable endorsements.

Boldt, no party preference, listed the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council, which represents unions in the region, as having endorsed him. But on Monday, Shannon Walker, the council’s president, contacted The Columbian and stated that her group had interviewed Holt and Boldt (she said Quiring didn’t show up) and decided not to make an endorsement until after the Aug. 7 primary.

Walker pointed out that Boldt is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48. Bob Carroll is the union’s business representative, according to its website. He also serves as the vice president of the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council, according to Walker.

Walker said that she spoke with Boldt after he claimed the endorsement. She said that when Carroll reached out to Boldt telling him he had been endorsed, Boldt assumed he was being endorsed by the entire Southwest Washington Central Labor Council, and not the individual labor union.

“He was obviously confused,” she said.

Carroll couldn’t be reached for comment. But Boldt’s account largely aligns with Walker’s. He said that after being interviewed by the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council he received a phone call from Carroll telling him that he had been endorsed. Boldt thought that the endorsement was from the Southwest Washington Central Labor Council.

“I thought that since he was vice president it came from the council,” he said.