Battle Ground City Councilmember Mike Dalesandro will not seek reelection when his term expires at the end of this year.
Dalesandro was first elected to the council in November 2014 after previously spending five years on the Battle Ground Planning Commission. He served a two-year, appointed term as the city’s mayor from 2018 to 2019.
“I’ve been highly engaged with the city in some capacity for 13 years,” Dalesandro said. “It’s time to just step aside and let someone else jump in and bring a different perspective.”
Among his highlights as a councilmember and mayor, Dalesandro listed a long-term community visioning process — intended to help residents lay out a broad vision for the city amid continued growth — and a $5.6 million project to refurbish South Parkway Avenue. He also pointed to community events such as the city’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.
“I’m really happy about where the city is at,” Dalesandro said. “I really enjoy public service. I think it’s a noble way to serve your community, regardless of the somewhat negative view of politics that’s out there to some extent.”
Dalesandro also faced opposition during his time as mayor from right-wing provocateur group Patriot Prayer. In 2019, the group and its founder, Joey Gibson, repeatedly attended city council meetings to protest gun control Initiative 1639, prompting tense exchanges between the group and councilmembers.
Dalesandro was elected in November to the Clark County Charter Review Commission, which will convene Wednesday and meet throughout the year. Earlier this month, Clark County Democrats selected him as the local party’s new chair.
Dalesandro also ran for Clark County Council Chair in 2015. He lost the race to Marc Boldt, who finished with 39.27 percent of the votes to Dalesandro’s 36.48 percent.
Dalesandro, 40, left open the possibility of seeking elected office again.
“I don’t think this is the end for me,” he said. “We’ll see if there’s another opportunity out there.”
