For local school board and fire commissioner races, new faces are headed to their respective seats, including one race where a newcomer is edging out an appointed incumbent.
School Boards
Battle Ground Public Schools’ one competitive race has challenger Debbie Johnson barely leading against incumbent Andrew Lawhon with about 50% of the vote against incumbent Lawhon’s roughly 49.3%, as of press deadline. Though only a difference of 95 votes, the numbers are still not close enough to require a mandatory recount under state law.
La Center’s one competitive school board race had a much clearer decision as of press deadline. Incumbent Amanda Miller led with about 75.1% against challenger Shannon Cluphf’s 24.7%.
In the Ridgefield School District, Amber Baker leads with about 65.8% of the vote against fellow challenger Rob Peterson’s roughly 33.8%, as of press deadline for the district’s sole competitive race. For Woodland Public Schools, Sarah Stuart will likely maintain her seat as she has about 62.3% of the vote to challenger Katie Nichols’ roughly 37.4%.
Fire commissioners
For the two fire district board of commissioners seats with a competitive election, the latest results in both cases look decisive. For Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, incumbent Jade Bourke leads with about 57.6% of the vote to challenger Brigid Taylor’s 42.1%. In Clark County Fire District 13, Matt Sciaretta has about 75.5% of the vote to fellow challenger Tom McGraw’s roughly 24%.
