Competitive primary races for seats to represent the Washington State Legislature feature Democrats in the lead as multiple Republicans also sought a chance to represent the recently redrawn districts in North Clark County.
As of the latest August primary election numbers, the three races in the area with more than two candidates had challengers either vying for open seats or facing off against the incumbent.
For the state’s 17th Legislative District Position 1, Democrat Terri Niles led with about 45.8% of the vote as of Friday. Behind her was Republican Kevin Waters with 20.7% of the vote, making him likely to move on to the November election. Fellow Republican challengers Hannah Joy and Anthony Ho had about 18.3% and 15.1% of the vote, respectively.
Upon seeing the first count of ballots on Aug. 2, Niles said her immediate reaction was of thanks for those involved with her campaign.
“I think that we have a great message to get out,” Niles said. “This campaign is about being a voice for working folks in the district.”
Moving forward, Niles said she plans to incorporate an “aggressive ground game” to her campaign.
Though the district’s boundaries have changed, Niles was located within the district’s boundaries even before the redistricting process was undertaken by the state last year. Now the district covers much of the eastern portion of Clark County and it also picked up Skamania County, though Niles noted the district’s population is still heavily weighted on its western side.
“I think that I am very well positioned to really understand the majority in our district,” Niles said.
She plans to reach out to the east part of the district as part of her strategy in the general election.
For the district’s second position, fellow Democrat Joe Kear held the lead with about 45.7% of the vote as of Friday. He was trailed by Republican incumbent Rep. Paul Harris, who is likely to move onto the November election after garnering roughly 30.4% of the vote. Other Republican challengers Earl Bowerman and Justin Forsman had about 12.6% and 11.1% of the vote, respectively.
Kear chalked his success up to constituents who understood his platform that promoted working families’ interests. He said his experience as a union negotiator, which involves “working to bridge real differences and find common interest,” would help him in the statehouse.
Kear also said his party affiliation would work well with the Democratic majority in Olympia.
“If we have representatives in our area that are part of the caucus and involved in the discussion to fully represent our area and get investments in our area, it will be helpful,” Kear said.
Kear resided in the 14th Legislative District prior to the redistricting changes this year. He said the makeup of the district is currently more balanced, which would allow for better discussions on funding priorities at the state level.
“I think it’s easier to do that when we have that kind of even mix,” Kear said.
Kear believes constituents will respond well to his interests, which are focused on affordable housing, child care, elder care and similar issues.
“If we have those discussions, I think people will relate to me as someone that can represent them … regardless of party,” Kear said.
In the 18th Legislative District, position 2 candidate Duncan Camacho, a Democrat, received about 45.4% of the vote as of Friday. The runner-up who will move forward to the November election is Republican Greg Cheney, who garnered roughly 20.3% of the vote.
For that race, the third-placed candidate wouldn’t have been able to move on regardless of how many votes he received. Republican John Ley received about 19.9% of the vote as of Friday, but was deemed ineligible to run for the seat because a court order ruled he didn’t actually live in the district.
In fourth place for the race was Republican Brad Benton, who received about 14.3% of the vote as of Friday.
Ahead of the first results, Camacho said he felt optimistic about his chances to move on to the November election.
“I don’t want to put myself too high or too low for expectations,” Camacho said.
Camacho was a resident of the district even prior to the redistricting process. He said he spent part of this year watching how the process would change the demographics of the district. The once sprawling district that included Camas, Washougal, La Center and Ridgefield, has shifted to cover much of the area north of Vancouver, and also retains Battle Ground.
Camacho acknowledged he would face a Republican in November whose primary vote may have been split among three contenders from the Republican party. Camacho said one of the benefits is he won’t have to change his messaging as he moves onto the general election.
“It allowed me to kind of stay in my lane and them three having to have their own arguments,” Camacho said.
He also noted he didn’t have to be as vigorous as his opposition in the primary election. While Camacho raised about $21,000 and spent about $9,600 ahead of the primary, Cheney raised about $36,000 and spent $21,000, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.
“Luckily I still have options of outreach in my pocket, so to speak,” Camacho said.
The one contested race where a Republican did prevail was that of the 18th district’s first-position seat. Republican Stephanie McClintock received about 51.7% of the vote as of Friday, compared to Democrat John Zingale’s roughly 48.1%. Both will move on to the November ballot, and were included in the primary due to a state law regarding partisan races.
For the 20th Legislative District, which now includes Ridgefield and La Center alongside Woodland, incumbents Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt, both Republicans, are running unopposed.
