This union-focused ballot guide for Southwest Washington tries to keep it simple: It lists only candidates who have at least one union endorsing them. Following each name is a list of union endorsers and a link to the campaign website, if they have one. [Acronyms are in the legend at the botttom.]
- 1) MAKE SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED To vote in Washington, you must be eligible and registered. Eligibility means you’re a U.S. citizen, at least 18, not serving a felony sentence, and a legal resident of Washington at least 30 days. The deadline is July 27 to register by mail or online and Aug. 4 in person.
- 2) LOOK FOR THE BALLOT IN THE MAIL Ballots will be mailed July 17 and should arrive by July 23. No postage is needed to return the ballot, but for it to count, it must be postmarked by Aug. 4 or deposited in an official ballot drop box by then.
- 3) UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORKS Washington uses a “top-two” primary system in which all candidates for an office appear on the ballot together regardless of which party they prefer, and the two candidates who get the most votes will then face each other in the November general election.
FEDERAL OFFICES
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Congressional District 3 (SW Washington)
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the Democratic incumbent, is running for a third two-year term. A graduate of Reed College, she owns an auto repair shop with her husband in Northeast Portland. In Congress, she’s co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a caucus of moderate and conservative Democrats. She faces eight challengers in the primary, most notably Republican state senator John Braun, who serves as Washington Senate Minority Leader. Braun manages his family company, which manufactures custom ambulances in Chehalis. Perez has a 77% rating from the national AFL-CIO. Braun has 20% lifetime voting from the state AFL-CIO. WSLC, IBEW 48 MarieForCongress.com
Brent Hennrich is a stay-at-home dad and former installer of Dolby theater systems. He ran for the same seat in 2022 but withdrew before the primary. IAM 695 BrentHennrich.com
STATE OFFICES
State Legislature
Washington has 49 state legislative districts. In each district, voters elect one state senator who serves a four-year term and two state representatives who serve two-year terms.
District 17 (Eastern Vancouver, White Salmon)
STATE REP, POSITION 1
Ben Christly is an RN and a Clark County Charter Review Commissioner. WSLC, CPBCTC, AFT, IBEW 48, WEA, WSNA ElectBenChristly.com
STATE REP, POSITION 2
Diana Perez is a member of Vancouver City Council, community activist, and former wildlife biologist for the Forest Service. WSLC, CPBCTC, AFT, IBEW 48, SMART 66, WEA ElectDianaPerez.com
District 18 (Clark County)
STATE REP, POSITION 1
Randi Knott operates a horse ranch in Brush Prairie. She’s challenging incumbent Republican Stephanie McClintock. WSLC, CPBCTC, AFT, IBEW 48 ElectRandi.com
STATE REP, POSITION 2
Deken Letinich is a construction laborer and member of Laborers Local 335. He is challenging incumbent Republican John Ley. WSLC, WSBCTC, IBEW 48, IUOE 701, IW 29 ElectDeken.com
District 19 (Longview to Coast)
STATE REP, POSITION 1
Kevin Moynihan is a line cook at the Wandering Goose restaurant in Tokeland and an Aberdeen city council member. He’s challenging incumbent Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party. WSLC KevinMoynihan.com
STATE REP, POSITION 2
Terry Carlson is the president of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Central Labor Council, a Weyerhaeuser logger, and former recording secretary of Machinists Local W536. WSLC, WSBCTC, IAM, IBEW 48, SMART 66, UA 26 ElectTerryCarlson.com
District 20 (Longview)
STATE REP, POSITION 2
Evan Jones is an Army combat veteran, a member of the Longview Port Commission, and a union steward with IBEW Local 48 employed by Omega Morgan. He’s running against Republican Ed Orcutt, who has a lifetime labor voting record of 20% according to the Washington State Labor Council. In the most recent session Orcutt voted with labor just once out of 12 tracked votes. WSLC, IBEW 48, ILWU 21, IUOE 701, LIUNA 335, UA 26 VoteEvanJones.com
District 49 (Vancouver)
STATE REP, POSITION 1
Mike Pond is an organizer with the home care workers union SEIU Local 775. He’s one of three candidates running for the seat being vacated by Democrat Sharon Wylie, who’s running for Clark County Auditor. WSLC, CPBCTC, IBEW 48, WEA VotePond.com
Kim Harless is community engagement director at Native American Youth and Family Center. She’s been a member of Vancouver City Council since 2022 and serves on the C-TRAN board of directors. AFSCME, AFT VoteKimHarless.com
STATE REP, POSITION 2
Monica Stonier, a school teacher, is a Democrat and has held the seat since 2017. She has a 98% rating from the Washington State Labor Council for her votes over her career and 100% in this year’s session. WSLC, IBEW 48 VoteMonicaStonier.com
COUNTY OFFICES
CLARK COUNTY
Assessor
Peter VanNortwick, incumbent, has served as assessor since 2011. SWWACLC
Auditor
Mitchell Kelly, has worked for Clark County Auditor’s Office for about decade. CPBCTC MitchellKellyForAuditor.com
County Council District 2
John Zingale, is an award-winning middle school history teacher and union representative with the Vancouver Education Association. He twice ran unsuccessfully for state representative. SWWACLC, CPBCTC, IBEW 48 ZingaleForClarkCounty.com
County Council District 5
Troy McCoy is a State Farm insurance agent. He’s also a Battle Ground City Council member and former mayor and school board president in Battle Ground. SWWACLC, CPBCTC, IBEW 48 VoteTroyMcCoy.com
COWLITZ COUNTY
County Council District 2
Chelsea Chandler is a Longview middle school teacher challenging incumbent Republican county commissioner Rick Dahl. CWCLC ChelseaChandler4CowlitzCounty.com
Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities provides electric service to 235,000 customers in Clark County and water service to 40,000 homes and businesses in unincorporated areas. It’s governed by an elected board of three commissioners who serve staggered six-year terms.
Commissioner District 3 (Vancouver west of I-205)
Gordon Matthews is licensed mechanical engineer and clean-energy advocate with 44 years in the utility sector. He’s one of two challengers to longterm incumbent Jane Van Dyke. SWWACLC MatthewsForClarkPUD.org
LEGEND
For each candidate, we list labor organization endorsers — first state and central labor and trades councils , then locals and regional councils. If there’s a number next to the letters, that shows the endorsement is from an affiliated local. If a union is listed without a local number, then the endorsement is from a statewide committee.
- WSLC Washington State Labor Council (the state AFL-CIO)
- WSBCTC Washington State Building Trades Council
- SWWACLC Southwest Washington Central Labor Council
- CWCLC Cowlitz-Wahkiukum Central Labor Council
- CPBCTC Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council
- AFSCME Washington Federation of State Employees
- AFT American Federation of Teachers
- IAM Machinists
- IBEW Electrical Workers
- ILWU Longshore Workers
- IW Iron Workers
- IUOE Operating Engineers
- LIUNA Laborers
- SMART Sheet Metal Workers
- UA Plumbers and Pipefitters
- WEA Washington Education Association
