Clark County Council elections appear to affirm status quo

Voters signaled a clear desire for sweeping change in many state and federal races across the country this week. But in local races for Clark County Council, in Southwest Washington, most voters seemed to want more of the same.

A majority of seats on the nonpartisan, five-member council were up for election this year.

District 1 incumbent Glen Yung faced three challengers in the August primary but safely advanced to the general election, as did District 2 incumbent Michelle Belkot, who saw two challengers during the primary.

Chair Sue Marshall decided not to run for reelection in District 5, which paved the way for an open contest there. District 3 councilor Wil Fuentes and District 4 councilor Matt Little were not up for reelection this year.

Some of the key issues driving the election were the candidates’ approaches to growth and housing development, public safety, and their willingness to levy taxes to maintain or expand services.

District 1

Incumbent Glen Yung defeated his challenger, Bryan Shull, by a comfortable margin in the District 1 race.

District 1 covers parts of Vancouver, Hazel Dell and Salmon Creek.

“I am excited that my constituents believe in me and are willing to give me an additional term to continue to build on what I have been working on for the last four years,” Yung told OPB on Thursday, adding that he received a cordial message from Shull wishing him good luck.

Yung — who was endorsed by the Clark County Democrats — has served on the council since 2023. He has often taken moderate positions on issues that come before the council. He and his wife operate a remodeling business.

Shull, a local brewery owner, was endorsed by the Clark County Republican Party. Some of his top campaign issues were lowering taxes and supporting funding for law enforcement.

District 2

Incumbent Michelle Belkot expanded a slim lead over her District 2 challenger, John Zingale, to 4.4% by Friday morning.

“The percentage that I’m ahead, it’s obvious that I’ve won my campaign,” Belkot told OPB. “I am very humbled and I just very much appreciate the support of the community members in District 2 that voted for me again to continue my work.”

District 2 covers much of the unincorporated area just north of Vancouver.

During her first term on the council, Belkot, who had the endorsement of the Clark County Republican Party, has often voted against the other four members. She consistently opposes tax increases and tolls and has advocated for increased spending on the sheriff’s office. She’s also repeatedly taken heat for a lackluster attendance record at public meetings.

She told OPB she has received multiple death threats in the past year, which has made her feel unsafe attending meetings in person.

Belkot’s opponent, Zingale, pitched himself as a starkly different candidate from the incumbent. His platform focused on housing affordability, maintaining roads and infrastructure, and investing in parks and public spaces. He was endorsed by the Clark County Democrats.

District 5

Battle Ground City Council member and former mayor Troy McCoy had a narrow 3.8% lead over his opponent Peter Silliman in the District 5 race as of Friday morning.

The open seat covers mostly rural, northern Clark County.

“As more election results have come through, I’m proud and grateful to claim victory!” McCoy wrote in a Facebook post Thursday evening.

Throughout his campaign, McCoy advocated for investments in roads, parks and public safety, and emphasized the importance of building consensus.

“One thing I’ve learned about being elected: A lot of people think they can come in and just make these drastic changes,” McCoy told OPB on Thursday. “You can’t. You can make changes, but they need to be slow and well thought out.”

Silliman campaigned on a conservative platform that focused on lower taxes, deregulation and a stronger police presence.

The Clark County Democrats endorsed McCoy, and the Clark County Republican Party endorsed Silliman.