Washougal mayoral candidate Derik Ford was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of fourth-degree assault domestic violence after an argument with a family member became physical, according to the Camas Police Department.
The Washougal Police Department was dispatched to Ford’s house for a report of an assault. Ford had already left the house, according to Camas police. When Washougal police recognized Ford as a mayoral candidate, officers requested Camas police take over the investigation to avoid a conflict of interest, Camas police stated.
Police said they arrested Ford based on the victim’s statements and injuries, as well as on inconsistencies in Ford’s account of what happened.
As of Thursday afternoon, Ford was in custody in the Clark County Jail.
Ford is running against Rochelle Ramos for Washougal mayor in the November general election.
The Camas Post-Record previously reported that Ford was accused of domestic violence in a 2015 restraining order filed by a family member. He was later sentenced to serve two years of formal probation and attend a domestic violence intervention program after violating a restraining order, the newspaper reported.
In May 2015, a family member filed for a restraining order to prevent abuse, alleging Ford had attempted to physically harm them and placed them “in fear of imminent bodily injury” during an argument.
