Campaign season in Washington does not officially begin for another month, but plenty of political maneuvering already is underway.
You may have seen signs of it — literally. Campaign signs have dotted local roadsides, seemingly in perpetuity. Filing week begins May 16, yet several candidates have spent months angling for the name recognition that comes from signs along roadways and on lawns.
It would be nice for the public to have a break from the politicking. But some candidates who lost races as long ago as 2020 simply left their signs in place and changed the office they are seeking.
For the record, Washington’s primary is Aug. 2. The top two candidates in each race, regardless of party preference, will advance to the Nov. 8 general election. Local voters will help choose a congressional representative from the 3rd District, a U.S. senator, legislative representatives, three Clark County councilors, county executives such as auditor and sheriff, and a variety of judicial positions at both the state and county levels.
And yet, we have buried the lead. Political intrigue has been heightened in recent weeks with announcements that several officials will not seek reelection, promising to make for an interesting filing week.
State Reps. Larry Hoff and Brandon Vick, both Republicans from Vancouver, have announced that they will not seek a return to the Legislature. Hoff served a pair of two-year terms in Olympia; Vick took office in January 2013.
Both have admirably served their constituents in the 18th Legislative District, acting as traditional pro-business Republicans while avoiding the theatrics that too often accompany modern politics.
Upon announcing that he will not seek reelection, Hoff said: “In order to be successful in this job, you must be fully committed to public service. While there will be long days and even longer nights, serving in the Legislature is a noble venture that is incredibly rewarding when you put in the time and effort.”
The departures of Hoff and Vick leave open seats for both representative positions in the 18th District. Ann Rivers, the state senator from the district, announced in October that she would be leaving that position, but then decided in December that she would remain in office.
Meanwhile, Rep. Vicki Kraft, a Republican who has represented the 17th District for six years, has announced that she is running for Congress. Kraft, who was drawn out of the 17th in new districting maps, could be a wild card in the 18th District. With Republican representatives stepping down, she could run without challenging an incumbent from her party.
No matter the scenario, Republicans are likely to field strong candidates in the 18th District, where they have dominated for years.
Change also is in the air for the Clark County Council. Councilor Temple Lentz, a Democrat who represents District 1, has announced that she will not seek reelection. Lentz is a Democrat who served one term after being elected with 60 percent of the vote in 2018.
Voters in November opted to make county council positions nonpartisan and to change the council from four districts to five. Maps are still being drawn, and Lentz’s departure will only thicken the plot that is county council elections.
Regardless of the machinations, it is essential for thoughtful, qualified candidates to throw their hats into the ring. There is an old saying that the public gets the government it deserves; that process begins with filing week.
