Dozens of candidates filed for a number of municipal government positions as Washington’s filing week came to a close Friday.
Between May 17 and May 21, nearly 80 candidates filed for offices up for election this year. From North County city councils, to school districts, down to cemetery districts, the odd-year election focuses on local elections.
City councils
All four seats up for election this year for Battle Ground City Council are competitive, though none will go to a vote until the Nov. 2 Election. All but one seat have incumbents facing challengers. Position 1 incumbent Brian Munson will face current Battle Ground Public Schools board member Troy McCoy, current mayor Adrian Cortes will face Josh VanGelder in the Position 4 race, Neil Butler and Tricia Davis will compete for council’s Position 5 seat that incumbent Mike Dalesandro did not run for this year, and incumbent Cherish DesRochers will face Josie Calderon.
La Center City Council will see some of the most competitive races in North County. Position 1 incumbent Doug Boff did not file to run for his Position 1 seat, while five hopefuls — Ron Ostrander, Craig Whited, Melissa Fox, Justin Keeler, and Myrna Leija — have declared to run.
Dennis Hill, incumbent for Position 2, will face David Nelson, KC Kasberg, and Kimberlee Elbon this year. Position 3 incumbent Randy Williams faces Janice Fowler, Sean Boyle, and Palmer Davis to retain his seat.
Ridgefield City Council’s three seats up for election are not as competitive, with only one of three incumbents facing a challenger. Position 6 incumbent Jennifer Lindsay will face Ken Spurlock, while Position 1’s Ron Onslow and Position 4’s Don Stose, who currently serves as Ridgefield mayor, are running unopposed.
Woodland City Council has two competitive races for seats where the incumbent is not running again, while two other incumbents are running unopposed.
Councilor Janice Graham did not file to run, while prior council candidate Keith Kellisle and former councilor J.J. Burke seek Graham’s seat. Position 6 councilor Benjamin Fredricks did not file to run again, while Jenn Rowland and Aaron Berghaus filed to run for the seat. Position 2 seatholder Carol Rounds and Position 3’s David Plaza filed to retain their seats unopposed.
Yacolt Town Council has one incumbent running unopposed and one seat going to a primary election vote, though the incumbent decided not to run. Yacolt’s Position 3 seatholder Malita Mosely isn’t seeking another term, while Joshua Beck, Ronald Homola, and Rhonda Rowe-Tice have declared they will seek the seat. Position 2’s Michelle Dawson filed and has no challengers.
School boards
Battle Ground Public Schools has the most competitive races for its open seats in North County. District 1’s incumbent Mary Snitily faces challengers in Devin Scroggins, John Siemssen, and Chloe Seppala, with District 5’s incumbent facing Jenny Price. District 3’s Troy McCoy is running for Battle Ground City Council instead of seeking another term, while Ted Champine, Tori Denfeld, and Diane Langan will compete to take the seat.
The Hockinson School District has one seat going to an August primary vote, as District 1 board member Tim Hawkins faces Teresa VanNatta. District 2 incumbent Patrick Carter faces no challengers.
Woodland Public Schools also has competitive board member races, with District 4 incumbent Tammy Graham facing Trish Huddleston and District 5’s Tom Guthrie facing Eric Child.
Only one race in the Ridgefield School District is competitive. District 5’s Zenia Bringhurst faces Chantel Nash, while District 1’s Emily Enquist faces no challengers. District 4’s incumbent Becky Greenwald did not file to run again, while board member hopeful Donna Farnsworth was the only one to file for the seat.
Both Green Mountain School and the La Center School District
have incumbents running unopposed for their seats. Green Mountain School Position 2 board member Cameron Tormanen and Position 3 member Kent Furman are seeking another term, while La Center’s District 2 incumbent Todd Jones and District 3’s Kent Furman are running to retain their respective seats.
Other races
Apart from city councils and school boards, several other seats for fire protection districts, cemetery districts, and other special purpose districts have seats up for election this year. Below is a list of candidates who filed for the election.
Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue
Position 2 — Bob Johnson, incumbent
Position 5 — No candidates, incumbent Ken Ayers did not file to run
Clark County Fire District 3
Position 2 — Scott Anders, incumbent, versus Philip Johnson
Clark County Fire District 6
Position 3 — Casey Collins, incumbent, versus Rocky Hanes
Clark County Fire District 10
Position 2 — Elizabeth Goble, incumbent
Clark County Fire District 13
Position 2 — Gary D. Hoyt, incumbent
Port of Ridgefield
District 3 — Joe Melroy, incumbent
Woodland Swimming Pool and Recreation District
Position 2 — Zach Kuper. Incumbent Sharon Crosby is not running again
Position 4 — Darcy Billingsly. Incumbent Bruce Hulett is not running again
Position 5 — Kay Purcell. The seat is currently vacant
Clark County Cemetery District 4
Position 1 — Holli Selves, incumbent
Clark County Cemetery District 5
Position 3 — Dick Colf, incumbent
Clark County Cemetery District 6
Position 1 — Rebecca DeMarino, incumbent
Position 3 — Gary Bruner, incumbent
Clark Regional Wastewater District
Position 2 — Norman Harker, incumbent, versus Bruce Campbell and Nick (Loki) Jacobsen
