Back in August Jaime Herrera was one of two Republicans endorsed by The Columbian in the 3rd Congressional District’s primary race. Clark County voters concurred, giving her the top vote total locally in a six-candidate field, slightly ahead of Democrat Denny Heck, who also advanced to the fall finals.
Two months later our opinion about Herrera’s potential is as strong as ever. While her background might not be the perfect preparation (she lacks experience in the private sector), her fresh approach is, well, refreshing, and she’s still the best candidate. This is especially true as the 3rd District takes on national importance.
Herrera, a rapidly rising GOP star with three years’ experience as a state legislator, is embroiled in a tough campaign against Heck, who served five terms in the Legislature more than two decades ago, rising to the ranks of House majority leader. As their battle for U.S. representative has grown in intensity, Herrera’s vow to help impose fiscal restraints on Congress has become more compelling.
She’ll need all the determination she can muster in the homestretch of this race, because it’s ultra-close, as seen in the primary’s results. While Herrera led Heck by three-tenths of a percentage point in Clark County, Heck led throughout the 3rd District (Clark, Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties, and most of Thurston and Skamania counties), gaining 31.4 percent to Herrera’s 27.8. Each candidate more than doubled the vote total of any other challenger.