The Clark County Deputy Sheriff Guild changed its earlier neutral stance Friday and endorsed incumbent Tony Golik for the county prosecutor’s race.
Golik, a Democrat, is seeking a second four-year term. His Republican opponent is Vancouver attorney Josephine Townsend.
Before the primary election, the guild had voted not to endorse a county prosecutor candidate this election.
However, guild members voted a second time over the past two weeks on whether to endorse a prosecutor candidate and which candidate to endorse, said Bob Mullikin, the guild’s president.
About 59 percent of the guild’s 121 members voted this time, Mullikin said. He declined to disclose how many votes each candidate received.
The guild also endorsed Golik in the 2010 election.
“Of course, I am honored to have received their endorsement,” Golik said. “I’ve worked very closely with the deputy sheriffs and have very good relationships with them. It’s that very good relationship that we’ve had over the years that has resulted in the very positive work that’s been accomplished in cooperation between our office and the sheriff’s office.”
Golik also has endorsements from Clark County Sheriff Garry Lucas, local police chiefs, the Vancouver Police Officers Guild, former Prosecutor Art Curtis, retired Superior Court judges and Golik’s former opponent in the 2010 prosecutor’s election, Republican Brent Boger — an assistant city attorney in Vancouver and a Washougal city councilor.
Townsend is endorsed by the Clark County Republican Party.
Judge’s race
The guild on Friday also endorsed Judge Bernard Veljacic in the nonpartisan race for county Superior Court Position 5 over challenger Bob Vukanovich. That was the first time the guild had considered endorsements for the judgeship, Mullikin said.
“I am honored and humbled that the law enforcement officers at the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department, along with the local firefighters, trust me to continue my service to our community from my position on the Superior Court bench,” Veljacic said.
The Vancouver Police Officers Guild and Vancouver firefighter union, IAFF Local 452, have endorsed him. He also has endorsements from Washington Supreme Court justices Charles Johnson, Mary Yu, Susan Owens, Steven Gonzalez and Charles Wiggins.
Veljacic was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to Clark County Superior Court Position 5 about five months ago to succeed Judge Rich Melnick, who was appointed to Division II Court of Appeals. Veljacic must be elected in November in order to continue in the position.
Vukanovich, a private lawyer, also was a candidate for the appointment and was the favorite of the Clark County Bar Association, according to a preference poll earlier this year. Results of the bar association’s preference poll for the November election are scheduled to be released Oct. 10.
Vukanovich has endorsements from retired Supreme Court Justice Jim Johnson, Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt and state Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas.
