Political reshuffling and redistricting in the 18th Legislative District stoked competitive three-way primary races for its Senate and House Position 2 seats.
District 18 Senate
Democrat Adrian Cortes and Republican Brad Benton were leading in Tuesday’s initial returns for the 18th District Senate race.
Republican Rep. Greg Cheney, Benton and Cortes are all chasing the seat formerly held by Republican Sen. Ann Rivers.
As of Tuesday night, Cortes had 11,517 votes, or 46.82 percent. Benton had 7,554 votes (30.71 percent) and Cheney had 5,505 votes (22.38 percent).
“I’m just overwhelmed, excited and extraordinarily grateful for the support we’ve seen tonight,” Cortes said.
The 18th District was redrawn in 2022, so its voters are not the same as those who elected Rivers in 2020.
It formerly encompassed Ridgefield, Yacolt and Washougal but now includes Battle Ground, Vancouver and unincorporated areas of Felida, Salmon Creek and Brush Prairie.
Rivers announced earlier this year she wasn’t seeking re-election.
Cheney, an attorney, was elected to represent the 18th Legislative District in 2022. He is vacating that seat to run for the Senate.
His Senate campaign focused on lowering property taxes, ensuring access to mental health treatment and advocating for safer communities.
Benton, who works in sales, grew up in what is now the 18th District.
“I’m honored to have received so much support from the people in the 18th District,” Benton said.
He said his top legislative priorities are protecting personal freedoms, fighting against new taxes and tax increases and finding a new Interstate 5 Bridge proposal without tolls or light rail.
Benton said he looks forward to the possibility of serving his supporters in Olympia.
Cortes is serving his second consecutive term on the Battle Ground City Council. He served as mayor from 2020 to 2021.
A longtime special education teacher for the Camas School District, Cortes listed improving education, transportation and public safety among his priorities, as well as increasing the housing supply and decreasing rates of homelessness.
Cortes said his campaign conveyed a message that was consistent with what he’d done on the Battle Ground City Council and he’s glad voters saw the value and commitment in that work.
District 18, Position 2
Tuesday’s early returns had Democrat John Zingale leading the race to represent District 18, Position 2, with 11,824 votes, or 48.29 percent. Republican John Ley had 9,362 votes, or 38.23 percent. And Republican Philip Johnson had 3,269 votes, or 13.35 percent.
The candidates are vying to fill the House seat vacated by Cheney as he makes a run for the Senate.
“We’re excited that so far the people of Clark County and the 18th District have me in the lead,” Zingale said.
Zingale, a Vancouver middle school social studies teacher, focused his campaign on fixing the education system, providing affordable housing and lowering health care and child care costs.
Zingale will hold his celebrations until all the votes are counted over the coming days.
“Then we’ll see exactly who my opponent might be in the fall,” he said. “But I’m happy with these initial results.”
Johnson is another Battle Ground City Council veteran. He served on the council for 12 years, including two terms as mayor.
He’s running to increase affordability for families, support law enforcement and address homelessness.
Ley, a Camas Republican and retired pilot, has seen his campaign embroiled in scandal as he faces felony election fraud charges related to an unsuccessful run to represent the same district in 2022. He’s accused of providing false information for voter registration and providing false information on a declaration of candidacy.
A voter registration challenge alleged Ley did not live in the 18th District, though he contends that he does. He owns a home in Camas but has rented an apartment in Hazel Dell for about two years. He contends the charges are politically motivated.
If elected, Ley hopes to halt the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project, curb state spending, lower taxes and bolster public safety.
District 18, Position 1
Incumbent Republican Rep. Stephanie McClintock and Democrat Deken Letinich both advance to the general election for the District 18, Position 1, seat given that it’s a two-way race.
McClintock is so far leading with 13,317 votes, or 54.69 percent of votes counted. Letinich is in second with 11,009 votes, or 45.21 percent of votes.
