Write-in candidate to seek Battle Ground mayor’s job

Despite falling short of the necessary votes to propel him past the primary for Battle Ground’s Position 1 city council race, Richard Brown says he intends to run as a write-in candidate for Mayor Lisa Walters’ position.

Walters, a 12-year council veteran who’s served as the city’s mayor for the past 19 months, announced Monday she would resign from council effective Sept. 1. By resigning, Walters will also bow out of a campaign for council Position 5.

That decision has left Mike Dalesandro, a logistics and operations manager, as the sole viable candidate for the spot.

Brown called Walters a great and inclusive leader whom he wished to emulate. “In light of her stepping down,” Brown said, “I want to step up and continue her legacy.”

Dalesandro said he had no intention of changing his campaign strategy now that Brown is mounting a write-in campaign.

During the county’s Aug. 6 primary election, Brown came in third out of a field of four candidates, finishing behind Councilman Mike Ciraulo and Lyle Lamb. Brown received 15.81 percent of the vote. Cherish DesRochers rounded out the field, receiving 14.72 percent of the vote.