Joe Kent and House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed members of the media prior to a fundraiser for the 3rd Congressional District candidate. “We’re very bullish about November,” Johnson said. Photo courtesy John Ley

House Speaker Mike Johnson attended a fundraising lunch Saturday at the Vancouver Waterfront in support of 3rd Congressional candidate Joe Kent

Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today

Clark County residents had the opportunity to attend a fundraising lunch for 3rd Congressional candidate Joe Kent at El Gaucho at the Vancouver Waterfront. Kent was joined at the event by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The event was well attended by area Republicans and residents, who paid $1,000 a plate to attend the lunch. Johnson’s appearance was intended to provide a fundraising boost to Kent, who is attempting to unseat Democrat Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in the November general election. Two years ago, Kent was defeated by Perez by about 2,700 votes, or less than one percent.

Clark County Today was invited to participate in a media gaggle with three other news outlets prior to the fundraiser. However, members of the media were not allowed to attend the lunch where both Johnson and Kent spoke and took questions from those in attendance.

Clark County Today spoke to three area residents who did attend the event and those residents were willing to share their impressions of what Johnson and Kent had to say.

Nicole Wubben

Nicole Wubben is the treasurer of the Clark County Republican Women. She described herself as a long-time supporter of Kent. She strongly feels he deserved a second shot at defeating Perez. “He’s equipped to tackle that jungle back there and do a good job for us,’’ Wubben told Clark County Today.

Wubben had the pleasure of being seated “right next to’’ Speaker Johnson.

“I have a new respect for him,’’ Wubben said of Johnson. “He’s got a great background working with all different types of people. He and his wife are very strong Christians. I got the impression he doest get his feathers ruffled very easily. He’s a very good listener – able to listen to everybody’s concerns and he’s trying very hard to unite the party. He sees his role as to unite the party and to unite the Congress. I think he’s pretty amazing honestly.’’

Wubben said she heard the same positive message the Republicans have been sharing since the Republican National Convention, which was held just more than a month ago.

“I was very encouraged by what I heard,’’ Wubben said. “The party is really optimistic about Joe’s race as well as a couple of others in the Pacific Northwest. That’s why we’re getting the attention were getting with President Trump coming out to Montana and the speaker coming out here so soon after the primary.’’

While Wubben said there was optimism about the Republicans’ agenda and campaigns this fall, she said Johnson had a much more dire message when it came to the Democratic opposition.

“I thought he was very transparent about what we’re up against, specifically the Kamala Harris campaign,’’ Wubben said. “We are up against a socialist agenda like we’ve never seen before, which is another reason why it is so important for us to get behind these races and work for our candidates.

“There’s definitely an excitement and a resolve to fight this and to work harder to get our candidates to the victory line,’’ Wubben said. “I was encouraged by the whole thing. We are so lucky to have this speaker. Nobody is perfect, but overall the speaker is very approachable, very easy to talk to. He engages with you. I just appreciated that he’s there to help Joe and to show us they are really working hard back there.’’

Stephanie Millman

Stephanie Millman is a Republican precinct committee officer in Clark County. She attended Saturday’s fundraiser with her husband Mike.

Millman said the discussion at the fundraiser was that Republicans are united and will use the full extent of their resources in Clark County to win the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Third Congressional District candidate Joe Kent and supporters Camas residents Stephanie and Mike Millman chat prior to the start of the luncheon at El Gaucho restaurant at the Vancouver Waterfront. Photo courtesy John Ley

“Speaker Johnson believes Joe is one of the most competent candidates in the nation,’’ Millman said. “He said Joe is ‘the real deal. As we are on the verge of WWIII, with alliances being formed with Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela, and other South American countries coordinating against us, we need Joe Kent to support us in Congress.’’’

Millman said Johnson described himself as “a Reagan Republican, who believes in peace through strength.’’

Millman said that Kent is focused on the issues of his constituents, including cost of living and crime. “As we say in the South, he is a workhorse, not a show pony.’’

“But the biggest problem is that we aren’t fighting against typical people who have different opinions,’’ Millman reported Johnson stated. “It’s not a battle between Rs and Ds. These people are true socialists. Perez is a socialist (https://mariewatch.com/), and the media is covering it up.’’

Millman said Johnson stressed his Seven Core Principles for Conservatives:

Individual freedom
Limited government
The Rule of Law
Peace through strength
Fiscal responsibility
Free markets
Human dignity

“In the end, I got to ask the first question,’’ said Millman, who asked Johnson about Criminal Code 18, which makes it against the law for illegal immigrants to vote unless they believe they are U.S. citizens at the moment they vote. “Speaker Johnson said that election integrity is always the first question. They passed the ‘Save Act’ with a very thin margin. Perez originally voted with the Democrats, but after it was clear there were enough votes to pass, she changed her vote to be one of the few Dems to vote ‘yes.’ Now, it’s stuck in the Senate. But 198 democrats voted ‘no’ to confirming that noncitizens cannot vote.’’

Angus Lee

Angus Lee is an attorney in Vancouver. He was one of those in attendance at Saturday’s event.

“It was a pleasure to see both Speaker Johnson and Joe Kent in person and hear them speak extensively about the pressing issues of our time,’’ Lee told Clark County Today. “In an era where we are often bombarded with soundbites and scripted speeches, it can be difficult to gauge whether a candidate or official truly understands the topics they discuss.

“Observing these two respond to questions without evasion was refreshing and demonstrated their deep knowledge of the issues and clear stances,’’ Lee added. “Joe Kent, in particular, has shown that he is well-prepared, and I believe he is not only poised to win the general election but also to become a long-term leader in the House, making significant contributions to our country and Southwest Washington.’’

Also read:

Area residents share their experience at Kent fundraiser
Joe Kent, with support from House Speaker Mike Johnson, held a fundraising event in Vancouver to boost his campaign for the 3rd Congressional District.
Opinion: Winning elections starts with you
Nancy Churchill shares insights on ballot hygiene and the importance of early voting for registered voters in Washington state.
House Speaker Mike Johnson ‘very bullish’ on Kent and November
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Joe Kent gear up for November at a Vancouver fundraiser.
Opinion: ‘Politics makes strange bedfellows’
In this column by Clark County Today editor Ken Vance, he takes a look behind the scenes at the Clark County Republican Party’s recent meeting, where Paul Harris was recognized for his state senate run, and the debate over endorsing Dave Reichert for governor continues.
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