City of Ridgefield

Incumbent Don Orange is running for re-election to the Port of Vancouver, District 1. He owns a mechanic shop and has lived in Clark County for over 30 years. Orange also serves on the Battle Ground School District Auto Advisory Council and is a past president of the Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center.

Prior to his election in 2017, Orange was a dedicated opponent of the dirty and dangerous Tesoro-Savage project, which would have been the largest oil-by-rail terminal in the country. This race was particularly notable since oil companies paid around half a million dollars in an attempt to defeat Orange's greener campaign against his opponent. Orange voted alongside his fellow council members in 2018 to unanimously end Vancouver Energy's lease on the oil-by-rail terminal. Now, he serves to make the port more environmentally friendly and attract more family-wage jobs.

Orange's opponent is former restaurant owner and manager Russell Brent. A former board member of the Washington Hospitality Association, Brent has served in many roles in the community, including as a past board chair of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce and Clark County YMCA. Brent has faced criticism recently for using a fake union label on his campaign materials. Brent hasn't make a solid case for why voters should elect him over incumbent Orange, who has spent years fighting for Clark County families and is committed to preserving the environment for generations to come.

Orange has earned strong support in this campaign from local and state leaders because of his proven record at the port. We recommend re-electing Don Orange for Port of Vancouver from District 1. 

Amber Baker is a first-time candidate running for Ridgefield School Board, Director District 2. Baker owns and manages her own farm, and works in the community in consulting and agriculture education. She is a working mother of two future students of the district. Baker also serves the community as a youth soccer coach, Ridgefield Multicultural Festival volunteer, and donor of freshly grown food to the local food bank.

If elected, Baker wants to engage all community voices to create a welcoming school district where students of all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging. Though she lacks a detailed platform, Baker has been endorsed by a strong progressive leaders and our trusted partners.

Also in this race is Rob Peterson, who works for a health care company in data management. Peterson is involved in youth coaching and Junior Achievement volunteering. Like Baker, he is running on a vague platform that emphasizes transparent leadership and listening to all stakeholders.

We recommend Amber Baker for Ridgefield School Board, Director District 2 because of her community leadership work and her support in this race.

Brigid Taylor is running for Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Commissioner Position 2. She describes herself as a teacher, a mom of three, and a fire spouse. She has taught for 23 years in Clark County schools and serves on the Citizens for Ridgefield Schools Board.  

Taylor's campaign priorities are preparation, protection, and prevention. She will work to ensure that all first responders have the equipment and training they need to respond to emergencies across the district. She also wants to use her position to improve communication with the community and other elected officials.  

Taylor is running against Jade Bourke, who has served on the Fire Commission for one year. He has experience as a volunteer firefighter and wants to continue focusing on balancing the district's financial priorities during a time of rapid growth.  

Taylor has earned strong support from the firefighter community, including endorsements from both the Clark County and Vancouver fighters. This speaks to her vision for the district and her deep understanding of what our first responders need to keep us safe. Taylor is the best choice for Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Commissioner Position 2.