County Councilor Stewart confident in her record

Clark County Councilor Jeanne Stewart didn’t announce or signal that she would run for re-election until the last day of filing week. But Stewart said she’s not a “suspense person.”

“That nonsense complicates life,” she said.

In a brief interview with The Columbian, Stewart, a familiar face in Clark County politics, explained her late filing and also why she expects to prevail in the four-way race.

“My record stands on its own; my record is hard-earned.”

Stewart, 71, was elected to the then county commission in 2014 as a Republican in a countywide vote. Since then, the county has implemented its home rule charter, which changed the three-member commission into a district-based, five-person council.

She’s now seeking re-election in an urban district that encompasses large swaths of Vancouver. Democrats Temple Lentz, a Clark County freeholder, and former state Rep. Jim Moeller are running. Veny Razumovsky, of the CascadiaNow Party, is also running.

Stewart said her late filing wasn’t because of any indecision on her part, but rather it was her strategy to wait to file until she knew what the field was. She said that the district is “more on the liberal side.” But she said she’s confident she can win because voters will pay more attention to the individuals on the ballot rather than their party affiliation — especially if the voters are informed, she said.

“I have faith that people will do that,” said Stewart. “November is a long time away, so who knows what will happen?”

She cited her 12 years on the Vancouver City Council. She also mentioned her performance in the “face of adversity” on the Clark County Council. When asked for examples or specifics, Stewart said people “will know what that is.”

While on the Clark County Council, Stewart aligned herself with fellow Republican Councilor Julie Olson and council Chair Marc Boldt, who is nonpartisan. The three frequently clashed with Republican Councilors David Madore and Tom Mielke, who have since lost re-election and retired, respectively.

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