Races in 17th and 18th Legislative Districts tight in early count

Democrat Adrian Cortes seemed poised to flip the 18th Legislative District Senate seat vacated by Republican Sen. Ann Rivers, as of Tuesday night’s early returns.

He had 50.82 percent (31,735 votes) to Republican Brad Benton’s 49 percent (30,599 votes).

“I’m looking forward to the next batch of results, and hopefully we’ll be able to expand on that lead,” 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.

Cortes is a Camas High School special education teacher, Battle Ground City Council member and former Battle Ground mayor. Benton is a son of former state Sen. Don Benton, who later became a Donald Trump appointee. He began his career as an auditor for Moss Adams, a public accounting firm, and now works in sales.

“History shows that these things are not over on election night,” Benton said. “There’s still a lot of votes to count, and I’m very confident that over the coming days, we’ll be able to close that gap with a strong, late Republican vote.”

Republican John Ley led a tight race against Democrat John Zingale for the 18th District seat vacated by Republican Rep. Greg Cheney.

Ley received 31,172 votes, or 50.1 percent, to Zingale’s 30,950 votes (49.75 percent) — a 222-vote margin.

“It’s razor thin between my opponent and I,” Zingale said.

Zingale, a Vancouver middle school social studies teacher, hopes having a teacher on the education committee would bring another perspective when it comes to “one of our state’s biggest issues, and that’s education funding,” he said.

Ley, a retired pilot, didn’t respond to The Columbian’s election night phone call. He is facing felony voter fraud charges related to his unsuccessful 2022 candidacy for the same seat. His trial is Feb. 24.

It looks like incumbent Republican Rep. Stephanie McClintock will retain her seat, according to Tuesday’s vote count. She had 34,212 votes (54.97 percent) to Democrat Deken Letinich’s 27,963 votes (44.93 percent).

McClintock was elected in 2022 to represent the 18th District, which stretches from Hazel Dell to Battle Ground.

“I’m looking forward to what I can get done for the people in the 18th District and what I can bring back home,” McClintock said.

Political newcomer Letinich is a laborer and union organizer with the Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers, where he also serves as the assistant political and legislative director.

17th District

Democrat Terri Niles pulled ahead of Republican David Stuebe in the race to represent the 17th Legislative District and succeed Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, according to initial results in Tuesday’s election.

The recently redrawn district now extends from east Vancouver to the eastern edge of Skamania County, including Camas and Carson.

Niles received 30,610 votes (50.18 percent); Stuebe received 30,306 votes (49.69 percent).

“Being ahead is great and very encouraging, but there are still votes coming in,” Niles said.

Niles has worked as an intensive care nurse for 20 years and in nursing administration for five. She is politically active in the community.

Stuebe, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel, serves as mayor of Washougal.

Republican Paul Harris was pulling ahead of Democrat Marla Keethler in the race to succeed Republican Sen. Lynda Wilson, who is retiring. Harris had 50.49 percent (31,041) to Keethler’s 49.4 percent (30,370 votes).

Harris, a small-business owner and manager, has served in the Legislature since 2010. Keethler currently serves as the two-term mayor of White Salmon and has a background in communications and sports journalism.

Republican Rep. Kevin Waters ran unopposed for 17th District, Position 1.

49th District

Democratic incumbents in the 49th District, which encompasses Vancouver, fended off Republican challengers.

Annette Cleveland received 62.73 percent (29,809 votes) while Republican Lucia Worthington had 37.06 percent (17,610 votes).

Rep. Sharon Wylie received 64.24 percent (30,503 votes) while Republican Brett Graham had 35.59 percent (16,901 votes).

Rep. Monica Jurado Stonier received 63.67 percent (30,217 votes) while Republican Russell Barber had 36.16 percent (17,161 votes).

20th District

In the 20th District, which includes Ridgefield and Woodland, Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, both incumbents, were unchallenged.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Peter Abbarno easily fended off a challenge from Melvin Kaleolani Apana, who identified himself as a Culture Republican. Abbarno had 87.7 percent (30,791 votes) to Apana’s 9.67 percent (3,396 votes).