Republican Shannon Barnett, a member of the Cowlitz County Planning Commission and the Kalama school board, has announced his candidacy for the 18th District House seat being vacated by state Rep. Jaime Herrera, R-Camas.

Barnett, 40, has worked his way up in the Cowlitz County Republican Party from precinct committee officer to county GOP chairman. As precinct committeeman, he coordinated the process that led to Herrera’s appointment to the seat in 2007.

Recently, he was one of six American citizens chosen to take part in a U.S. State Department exchange program with Egypt and Jordan.

Barnett said his priorities, if elected, would be to reduce the size and scope of state government, build the state’s tax base and private sector employment, address health care reform at the state level, and properly define and fund basic education in Washington.

Others who have said they will seek the 18th District seat are La Center public relations consultant Ann Rivers, Felida resident Brandon Vick, and high school math teacher Bob Dean, all Republicans; Democrat Dennis Kampe, founder of the Clark County Skills Center; and Richard Carson, former director of the Clark County Department of Community Development, who is running as an independent.

The 18th District encompasses Felida, Salmon Creek, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, north Clark County, Camas, Washougal, and part of Cowlitz County.

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