Filing week ends in sprint as candidates file for primary races in Clark County

Friday marked the final day of filing week for local primary races in Clark County with a flurry of last-second additions to the ballot.

A notable addition in the race for the 18th Legislative District House seat Position 2 is former legislative candidate and Republican John Ley of Camas, who is facing felony election fraud charges related to his unsuccessful run for an 18th Legislative District seat in 2022.

Ley is accused of providing false information for voter registration and providing false information on a declaration of candidacy. He pleaded not guilty in Clark County Superior Court in November. His trial was set for April 29 but was delayed until October.

It is unclear if he will be allowed to run this year.

18th Legislative District

If he runs, Ley will face Vancouver Public Schools teacher John Zingale, a Democrat, and former Battle Ground mayor and city council member Philip Johnson, a Republican.

The race for the 18th Legislative District Senate seat is heating up because Republican state Sen. Ann Rivers is not seeking a fourth term. Three candidates have filed to fill her seat.

One is Rivers’ current seatmate, Rep. Greg Cheney, R-Battle Ground. Another is Democrat Adrian Cortes, a Battle Ground city councilor and former mayor.

Republican Brad Benton is also running. He ran unsuccessfully for the 18th Legislative District’s House Position 2 in 2022. He is the son of Don Benton, the former state senator and Trump administration official.

For House Position 1, first-term incumbent Rep. Stephanie McClintock, R-Vancouver, will face Democrat Deken Letinich of Vancouver, a laborer and union organizer with Laborers Local 335.

17th Legislative District

Rivers isn’t the only Republican state senator from Clark County retiring this year.

The 17th Legislative District Senate seat is also up for grabs because Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, is stepping down from the Legislature.

Her seatmate Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, is running to replace her. Wilson has endorsed his bid.

The 17th Legislative District was recently redrawn. It now includes areas east of Carson, including White Salmon. The mayor of White Salmon, Democrat Marla Keethler, has challenged Harris for the seat.

First-term incumbent Kevin Waters, R-Stevenson, is the only candidate running for the seat Harris is vacating. Waters currently holds House Position 2.

Three candidates are vying for House Position 2: Washougal Mayor David Stuebe, a Republican; Vancouver nurse Terri Niles, a Democrat; and Carson Republican Hannah Joy.

49th Legislative District

Multiple candidates are challenging 49th Legislative District Reps. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, and Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver.

Wylie will face Republican Brett Graham, and Stonier will face Republicans Justin M. Forsman and Russell Barber, who both filed Friday.

Additionally, Sen. Annette Cleveland will face Republican Lucia Worthington.

Clark County Council

Multiple candidates filed Friday for the Clark County Council District 3 and 4 seats, complicating an already competitive race.

The race for the Clark County Council District 3 seat now includes Wil Fuentes, Chuck Keplar and John Jay. The seat is currently held by Karen Bowerman, who did not file for reelection.

The Clark County Council District 4 race includes Shannon Roberts, Joe Zimmerman, Dorothy Gasque, Matt Little and Peter Cutile.

The seat is currently held by Gary Medvigy, who did not file for reelection.

Clark Public Utilities Commissioner District 1

Two people filed earlier this week for Clark Public Utilities Commissioner District 1: James Oneil and Sherry Erickson. Christopher Thobaben filed to run Friday.

The seat is currently held by Jim Malinowski, who did not file for reelection. The District 1 commissioner represents northern Clark County.

3rd Congressional District

Four people filed to run for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, this year’s marquee race.

As expected, incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, will face Republican challengers Joe Kent of Yacolt and Leslie Lewallen of Camas. But an independent has also entered the race: John-Saulie Rohman of Camas.

Filing week ended at 5 p.m. Friday, meaning the list of candidates declaring their intentions to run for federal, state or county office is now settled.

To view the full roster of candidates who have declared campaigns with the Clark County Auditor’s Office, visit clark.wa.gov/elections/candidates.