CCRP-endorsed candidates were very successful in August primary election
Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today
Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh was unable to attend Monday’s meeting of the Clark County Republican Central Committee in Brush Prairie. However, Walsh made quite a statement in the form of a video that he provided to be shared with Clark County Republican Party (CCRP) officials and precinct committee officers (PCOs).
Walsh, who also serves as a representative in the Washington state House of Representatives, congratulated the CCRP on its successful performance in the August primary election. He credited the organization, highlighting it as a significant player, having successfully advanced most of the candidates they supported.
“The Clark County GOP was the shining star of the state primary,’’ Walsh stated emphatically. “You guys did a fantastic job. Cheers to you. You got the candidates you supported from the top of the ticket to the bottom through, with just one or two exceptions. It was impressive to see. And I think what we can take away from your success here in the state primary is that hard work works. If you canvass the right neighborhoods, if you talk to the right people, if you drop off good literature, get candidates in front of the right influencers — if you do all of those things, you can win elections in Washington, certainly in Clark County.’’
Among the CCRP-endorsed candidates who successfully advanced from the primary election were Joe Kent (3rd Congressional District), Brad Benton (state senator candidate, 18th District), and John Ley (state representative candidate, 18th District). Each of the three candidates were contested in the top-two primary by a fellow Republican, but each easily outdistanced their Republican opposition to advance to the November primary election.
Walsh indicated that the CCRP’s success was going to “more important than ever coming up this fall when we have Joe Kent’s congressional race, a couple of really important legislative races, and the top of the ticket executive races. The top of the ticket, of course, is going to be the initiatives this November — getting those four initiatives (three of them are tax reforms, and one of them is protecting consumer choice for natural gas) across the finish line. You will be critical players in making all of those good things happen this November.’’
Walsh sponsored the initiatives, originally championed by Let’s Go Washington. They include an attempt to repeal the state’s capital gains tax (I-2109), ending the state’s cap-and-trade program and repealing sections of the Climate Commitment Act (I-2117), and making participation in WA Cares, the long-term care program run by the state, optional (I-2124). Initiative 2066, proposed by Walsh himself and sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Washington, repeals provisions of a new state law meant to hasten Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas.
Walsh said the CCRP success was due to hard work, strategic canvassing, effective communication, and getting candidates in front of key influencers. He emphasized the significance of the upcoming fall elections, particularly Kent’s congressional race, key legislative races, executive races, and the four critical initiatives.
“So again, thanks so much for what you’ve done,’’ Walsh concluded in his video. “You are no doubt a real force in electoral politics here in Washington state. Keep up the good work. I’m very proud to be the chair of the state party and include the Clark County Republican Party as really one of our crown jewels.’’
CCRP Chairman Matt Bumala said he was honored for the organization to be recognized by the WAGOP chairman. Bumala stated that Benton was outspent by a factor of 10 by his Republican opponent, state Rep. Greg Cheney, and still Benton had almost a 10-percent edge over Cheney. Bumala stated that Republican Philip Johnson outspent Ley by a factor of five, and yet Ley’s votes nearly tripled those for Johnson.
The CCRP endorsed Republican Semi Bird in the race for governor. Bird was defeated by fellow Republican Dave Reichert in the primary. However, thanks in part due to the CCRP endorsement, Bird received about 11,000 more votes than Reichert in Clark County.
“Our endorsed candidates did very well,’’ said Bumala, who conducted Monday’s meeting, which addressed the CCRP’s recognition and endorsement of candidates for November’s general election. “This is a golden opportunity for all of us as Republicans to link arms and join the mission together to defeat Democrats throughout the county and in the state. With an extended hand, we are inviting others to join us.
“The Clark County Republican Party has never had this unity or has been this effective with results,’’ he added. “We’re in a good spot.’’
