John Zingale, a Vancouver public schoolteacher, announced Tuesday that he is again running to represent the 18th District.
The Democrat lost his 2022 bid for state House Position 1 to Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, who works in public relations for United Grain Corp. McClintock succeeded Republican Rep. Brandon Vick, who served five terms and did not seek reelection.
The campaign is waiting until the end of the legislative session to determine whether Zingale will run for Position 1 or Position 2, according to a campaign spokesperson. Position 2 is held by another-first term representative, Greg Cheney, R-Battle Ground.
Both Zingale and McClintock were political newcomers in 2022.
Zingale is running “to bring government transparency and tangible improvements to the people of the diverse and expansive 18th District,” according to a news release.
Zingale is a middle school social studies teacher who previously had a career in the retail grocery industry. He has been honored with numerous teaching awards, including Washington State History Teacher of the Year, and says public schools should be better funded throughout the state.
“I believe the Legislature can get more accomplished for the people in the 18th on affordability, infrastructure, taxes, education, and lots more,” Zingale said in the news release. “I teach civics, and it’s frustrating to have to teach kids to believe in a system that I know isn’t working the way it needs to for them.”
He said his focus will be on “tackling the day-to-day issues that burden the district’s families.”
“Vancouver and its surrounding suburban and rural communities are much more than mere Portland suburbs,” Zingale said. “I will work to foster economic and infrastructure enhancements that will facilitate the region’s growth and self-sustenance. My focus includes advocating for investments in family-wage job creation, educational opportunities for all, and championing environmentally and economically sustainable development that will benefit every resident and the community at large.”
