State Rep. Liz Pike said she is “flattered, honored and humbled’’ to have been approached by leaders of the Clark County Republican Party to support a write-in campaign in the Nov. 3 General Election for the county chair position but she said her focus is on the job she already has.
“I was asked by a lot of good, conservative Republicans about 10 days ago if I would please consider a massive write-in campaign for the county chair position,’’ Pike said. “There is so much work to be done right here in Clark County, in my (18th) district, I need to do the job they hired me to do.’’
Pike pointed out that the last time a write-in campaign was successful in Clark County was in September 1994 when Republican Linda Smith was victorious in the Primary Election for Washington’s third congressional district.
Pike made it clear when speaking to The Reflector on Monday that she would not participate in a write-in campaign and didn’t think one would be successful if it does continue. However, she left the door open in the event “something crazy happens.’’
“What would you expect me to do?’’ Pike said. “As Republicans, we always respect the voters’ will. But, my chances of winning that write-in campaign is like finding a needle in a haystack, so I don’t expect that to be the case.’’
In the Aug. 4 Primary Election, Marc Boldt, claiming no party preference, and Democrat Mike Dalesandro earned the two spots in the Nov. 3 General Election when they outdistanced Republicans David Madore, Jeanne Stewart and Tom Mielke, all current county councilors. This prompted area Republicans to consider the write-in campaign.
The Reflector obtained a copy of an email sent to Clark County Republican Party members Saturday by Christian Berrigan, the party’s state committeeman.
Berrigan’s desire was for Republican Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) to vote on the write-in plan at the party’s candidate endorsement meeting Wed., Aug. 26. But, Pike said Monday she doesn’t expect the plan to be approved.
“I can’t predict what is going to happen, but I don’t think the PCOs are going to go for it because it’s such a big, uphill battle,’’ Pike said. “I think this will all be solved Wednesday.’’
Berrigan’s letter indicated that the write-in campaign was also, in part, designed to help other conservative candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot, including Ridgefield Republican Julie Olson, who is running against Ridgefield Democrat Chuck Green for the county council District 2 position.
“I have every confidence that she is the better candidate and she will win,’’ Pike said of Olson. “There might be some Republicans who would skip the chair race, but good conservative voters don’t skip an entire election cycle. That would be crazy to not exercise our civic duty to vote. I think Julie wins no matter what because she is the best candidate and she has the best message.’’
Pike said she is not closing the door on a future run for either the county chair position or a spot on the county council.
“The timing just doesn’t feel right,’’ said Pike, who lives in the district currently represented by Mielke. “Every two years there will be a seat for me to run for on the county council, either the chair position or the seat in the district I live in.’’
Pike said the Republicans need to learn a lesson from what happened in the Aug. 4 Primary Election.
“As Republicans, we have to bite the bullet and learn this is what happens by having too many people running in the Primary,’’ she said. “All we did was allow some of the weakest candidates to advance to the General. Marc (Boldt) is a good man and I’ve known him for years, but he’s not a conservative. Clearly, there is no real Republican on the ballot and while that pains me, that’s what happens in a top two primary.’’
Pike has also been very committed to a Bi-state Bridge Coalition effort, something she is not willing to abandon to make a run for the chair position.
“I’ve got to finish the bridge thing,’’ she said. “I have to protect Clark County residents from tolls and light rail. Conservatives have to be involved otherwise liberals will shove light rail down our throats.’’
