Clark County native Brad Benton announced Wednesday he’s running as a Republican for Washington’s 18th District Senate seat currently held by Republican Ann Rivers.
Benton, 29, is the son of Don Benton, the former state senator and Trump administration official.
In his campaign announcement, Brad Benton pointed to protecting personal freedoms, fighting against new taxes and tax increases and finding a new Interstate 5 Bridge proposal — without tolls or light rail — as his top legislative priorities.
Benton grew up in what is now the 18th District, before going on to study accounting and political science at Whitworth University in Spokane. He graduated in 2018, according to his Linkedin page.
Benton works in sales, with a background in accounting and client relationships. He touts leadership roles in student government, sports teams and Boy Scouts.
In 2022 Benton ran unsuccessfully for the 18th Legislative District’s House Position 2, finishing behind Democrat Duncan Camacho and the eventual winner of the seat, Rep. Greg Cheney, R-Battle Ground, in the primary election.
Benton didn’t respond to requests for comment.
The Washington State Redistricting Commission redrew the 18th District significantly in 2022. Now the district encompasses Battle Ground, Felida, Brush Prairie and Salmon Creek — a largely different group of voters from the ones who elected Rivers in 2020. The district used to stretch from Ridgefield, through Yacolt and south into Washougal.
Battle Ground City Council member and former mayor Adrian Cortes, a Democrat, announced in early March that he too would be running for the 18th District Senate seat.
