Filing week begins with surprise candidacy

Only one name could be counted as a surprise Monday among the people who filed to run for office.

Bob Freund, 57, a Battle Ground general contractor, filed as an independent to run for the Board of Clark County Commissioners, District 1. Incumbent Tom Mielke, 70, did not file Monday, but the Republican has said he plans to run for re-election.

Ridgefield Democrat Joe Tanner, 65, a business executive and former state lawmaker who announced in March his plans to run against Mielke, did file Monday, the first day of filing week.

Other than an unsuccessful bid for county freeholder in 2000 when the county went through the failed home-rule charter process, this marks Freund’s first time running for public office. Freund said he was motivated to run after hearing people express concerns about county permits and fees. He said he wants to try to help small business owners and get the public more engaged in local politics.

In the other county commissioner race, Commissioner Marc Boldt, a Republican, filed to keep his District 2 seat. Former Vancouver City Councilor Pat Campbell filed to run against Boldt as an independent.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday — 4 p.m. Friday if filing online — to file.

Candidates register in person at the Clark County Auditor’s Office, 1408 Franklin St.

All 10 Superior Court judges will be on the ballot this year, and eight of them filed Monday. Only one judge, Diane Woolard, drew an opponent. Vancouver attorney Josephine Townsend filed against Woolard, who has been on the bench since 2000. Greg Gonzales, who was recently appointed to the bench, filed to keep his new seat. Incumbents John Wulle, Rich Melnick, Dan Stahnke, Scott Collier, Robert Lewis and Barbara Johnson also filed.

Filing fees are 1 percent of the annual salary, so judicial candidates, for example, paid $1,488.32.

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, filed, as did her previously announced opponent, Democrat Jon T. Haugen, a commercial airline pilot.

In legislative races, Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, filed. Joining her in the 49th District was Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, who is running for state senator.

In the 18th District, Camas Republican Liz Pike filed for State Representative, Position 2.

State Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, who’s losing his 18th District seat due to redistricting, filed for State Representative, Position 2 in the 20th District.

Four candidates filed to replace longtime incumbent Clark Public Utility Commissioner Carol Curtis, who had not planned on running to keep her District 1 seat.

The utility candidates who filed Monday are Jim Malinowski, Julia Anderson, Philip Parker and Helen Nowlin.

The county elections office updates its list of candidates daily. The list can be found at http://www.clarkvotes.org.

There are also 222 Republican and Democratic precinct committee officer positions up for grabs. Auditor Greg Kimsey said a list of PCO candidates will be on the county’s website by the end of the week.

The primary is Aug. 7, and the general election is Nov. 6.

Stephanie Rice: 360-735-4508 or stephanie.rice@columbian.com.