Clark County’s first day of election filing week wrapped up with a few surprises, as 66 candidates declared campaigns for 53 offices as of 5 p.m.
Many candidates filed paperwork for their already-declared 2021 campaigns, formalizing an election year already well underway. A few announced their intent to run on Monday.
In Vancouver, Kara Tess quietly registered her intent to seek Position 2 on the city council currently held by Erik Paulsen. Tess, who hadn’t previously announced her campaign, didn’t return The Columbian’s request for comment.
Paulsen also filed his reelection campaign Monday, as did the currently unopposed Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. Candidates Kim Harless, Mike Pond and John Blom made official their previously announced bids for Vancouver City Council Position 1, while Diana Perez and David Gellatly filed for Position 3. Both council seats are wide open, with their incumbents not seeking reelection in the fall.
Elsewhere in Clark County, two candidates are running for mayor of Camas: current Camas City Councilor Steve Hogan, and Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Senescu.
Hogan announced his bid late last week, following the abrupt resignation of Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell. Senescu launched her campaign in tandem with her filing on Monday.
Tim Hein also filed his campaign to fill Hogan’s seat on the city council.
In Battle Ground, so-far uncontested candidates Troy McCoy, Adrian Cortes and Neil Butler filed their campaigns for city council, while Cherish DesRochers and Josie Calderon are both running for Position 6.
A competitive race is also underway in La Center, with Janice Fowler and T.R. “Randy” Williams both running for Position 3; Ron Ostrander and Dennis Hill are thus far running for their city council seats unchallenged.
In Woodland, Keith Bellisle, Jenn Rowland and David Plaza are officially seeking city council positions 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Ridgefield’s Ron Onslow, Don Stose and Jennifer Lindsay also filed currently uncontested bids for city council seats. Washougal’s Paul Greenlee is currently the only official candidate for mayor, and David Stuebe, Molly Coston and Julie Russell are all running for the city council without filed opponents. Michelle Dawson and Joshua Beck are running for two seats on the Yacolt Town Council.
Another 17 people filed campaigns to sit on the county’s school district boards. Six fire commissioner candidates, three port commission hopefuls, two would-be wastewater district commissioners, two people seeking Superior Court judges seats and a single cemetery district commissioner candidate also filed their paperwork Monday.
Anyone running for a local office needs to file their candidacy with the Clark County Elections Department this week. The department will continue to accept online campaign declarations through 4 p.m. Friday, and candidates can also file in person through 5 p.m. Friday in the elections office at 1408 Franklin St. in Vancouver.
The paperwork for filing online can be found at clark.wa.gov/elections. Candidates must have a valid email address and be registered to vote in Clark County. Fees can be paid via credit or debit card.
Those filing in-person cannot use credit cards. Due to COVID-19 social distancing regulations, only a limited number of candidates will be permitted in the office at a time.
The primary election will be held Aug. 2 and the general election will be held Nov. 2.
