LIZ PIKE
The Clark County Republican Party officially endorsed the Write-In Liz Pike For County Chair campaign at a meeting Wednesday.
A press release issued by the Clark County Republicans, pointed out that the Republican Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) met next door to Shared Hope International, the Vancouver-based nonprofit organization founded by Clark County’s last victorious write-in candidate, Linda Smith.
“Noting that the conservative credentials of Liz Pike are unquestioned, and that she has stated she would serve if elected through this draft campaign, over 79 percent of the voting PCOs expressed their belief that writing in Liz Pike for County Chair was the best option for the future of Clark County government,’’ said Kenny Smith, chairman of the Clark County Republican Party.
Democrat Mike Dalesandro and former Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt, who states no party preference in his campaign for the county chair position, advanced from the Aug. 4 Primary Election, defeating current county councilors David Madore, Tom Mielke and Jeanne Stewart, all Republicans.
Faced with the prospect of selecting a county chair from two candidates, one Democrat and one who states no preference, a number of Clark County Republicans recently approached Pike, urging the state representative to participate in the write-in campaign. The PCOs then made it official with their vote at the Wednesday meeting.
“This is exciting news for conservatives of Clark County who are frustrated by the lack of a Republican on the November ballot,’’ Smith wrote in the press release. “The success of this campaign will depend on each voter recruiting others to write in the name of Liz Pike in the county chair race.
“We are confident that a universally respected leader like Liz Pike is the winning formula for Clark County,’’ Smith said.
In an interview with The Reflector, Pike said she has spent a considerable amount of time assessing what should her appropriate role in the write-in campaign.
“After a lot of soul searching, I must remain consistent,’’ Pike said. “I will serve if elected. I won’t actively campaign.
“I’m very grateful I received the official Clark County Republican Party endorsement for county chair,’’ Pike said. “I appreciate the trust and confidence placed in me by this conservative grass roots volunteer organization. Under these circumstances I would love to campaign full-time for this important job. However, I gave my word that I would not actively campaign. I also gave my word that I would proudly serve as chair if the citizens elect me in a successful write-in campaign. I am honoring these commitments. I am going to keep my word.’’
When asked how she plans to vote, Pike said, “I will write in Liz Pike for county chair.’’
Linda Smith was victorious in a write-in campaign for Washington’s third congressional district in the Primary Election in 1994.
Boldt was sanctioned by the executive board of the Clark County Republican Party in 2011 because he endorsed Democratic candidates and voted in opposition to the party on several issues. He still currently serves as a PCO and he did attend the Aug. 26 meeting, leaving before its conclusion.
“Regardless of whether I would have talked or complained, it wouldn’t have done anything,’’ Boldt told The Reflector. “When I win (in November), I will serve everyone in the county.’’
Other endorsements approved by Republican PCOs on Wednesday included Julie Olson for county councilor, District 2; Dick Rylander, Battle Ground School Board; Rosemary Fryer, Vancouver School Board; Lisa Ross, Port Commission. Prior endorsements include Frank Decker for Evergreen School Board and Dan Coursey for Washougal City Council.
