Transparency and trustworthiness are essential for effective governance. Because of that, The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends Democrat John Zingale for state representative from the 18th District, Position 2.
As always, this is merely a recommendation, designed to provide information and foster discussion. The Columbian encourages voters to study the candidates and the issues before casting an informed vote in a race that is unusually complicated.
During an interview with the Editorial Board, Zingale demonstrated a strong knowledge of the issues and the ability to firmly state his position without being strident. He is focusing his campaign on livability issues such as housing affordability and access to education and health care.
For example, he said he would like the Legislature to reconsider rent stabilization bills that failed to pass this year. On his website, he writes, “Affordable, accessible and safe housing makes for successful communities that attract more investment.”
Zingale’s policy preferences are pragmatic while keeping a view on the future. He believes the state can build on Vancouver’s Safe Stay model to help reduce homelessness, and he says of a proposed Interstate 5 Bridge: “The reason it’s costing so much is it was killed 10 years ago. Let’s be forward-thinking about this.” Regarding proposed tolls on a new bridge, he notes that the Legislature can implement rebates, particularly for low- and middle-income residents.
Zingale is a middle-school history teacher in Vancouver Public Schools and has won teacher of the year awards at both the national and the state levels. Perhaps most important, he told the Editorial Board, “I live in the 18th, I work in the 18th, I’m raising my family in the 18th.”
That is particularly relevant in a campaign against Republican John Ley.
In 2022, Ley ran for the same position but was revealed to not reside in the district; a Clark County Superior Court judge ruled him ineligible for that race, and he is facing an October trial date on a felony charge of election fraud.
Ley has long been actively opposed to the I-5 Bridge proposal and has made that the centerpiece of his campaign, declaring himself to be an expert on transportation issues and a fiscal conservative. But there is nothing fiscally conservative about his desire to halt current planning, which would waste millions of dollars and years of preparation. And there is nothing conservative about his staunch opposition to tolls on the bridge; it is logical that people who use the span should pay more than those who do not use it.
Ley says he now lives in the 18th District, but his commitment to the area is questionable. The Columbian reported in June that he has owned a home in Camas (outside the 18th District) for 20 years. It is ironic and misleading that he lists “transparency” as one of his values when his residency has been shrouded by subterfuge.
Voters in the 18th District should reject Ley’s candidacy because of his untrustworthiness. Fortunately, they have an alternative who exudes integrity and thoughtfulness.
Zingale articulates well-considered positions regarding child-care and school financing, and he supports the codifying of protections for abortion rights. He focuses on several topics that impact the lives of Washingtonians, rather than basing his campaign on a single issue.
The Columbian’s Editorial Board recommends a vote for John Zingale as state representative from the 18th Legislative District.
