Three of the five Clark County Council seats are on the ballot this year, with the August 4 primary set to determine which candidates advance to the November general election. The races in Districts 1, 2, and 5 have centered on the county’s role in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and the management of a persistent budget deficit.

The debate over fiscal priorities coincides with a July 23 vote by the Clark County Council to place two public safety measures on the November 2026 general election ballot. According to reporting by The Reflector, the measures include a general obligation bond and a levy lid lift intended to fund law and justice services, which currently account for approximately 70% of the county’s general fund. The proposed bond measure would authorize the county to issue up to $366,204,000 in general obligation bonds to remodel the Clark County Jail, add courtrooms, and build a new Sheriff’s Office headquarters.

While the council does not directly control the Interstate Bridge project, it holds three of the nine voting seats on the C-TRAN board. This board determines local funding for light rail operating costs, a point of contention as the project’s price tag continues to rise. According to reporting by Clark County Today, the council recently voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution supporting the extension of light rail to Library Square in Vancouver. District 2 incumbent Michelle Belkot cast the lone dissenting vote.

Belkot was removed from the C-TRAN board by her fellow councilors last year after stating she would oppose the county assuming light rail operating costs. According to OPB, Belkot subsequently sued the county, and a judge dismissed the case. The fiscal pressure on the county is further complicated by previous decisions to forego the 1% annual property tax increases permitted by state law.

Land use remains a secondary point of contention in the current races. Earlier this year, the council adopted a land-use map allowing urban growth boundary expansions for Camas, Ridgefield, and La Center. As previously reported on August 4, the county has now completed the state-mandated environmental review for its 10-year growth plan. Some challengers in the upcoming election have criticized the expansion, according to OPB, arguing the county should prioritize density in urban centers to avoid encroaching on agricultural land.

In District 1, incumbent Glen Yung faces challengers Dusti Arab, Lukas Bardue, and Bryan Shull. In District 2, Belkot faces Martin Pittioni and John Zingale. The District 5 race features Troy McCoy and Peter Silliman, both of whom will advance to the general election.

Source: Tension over trains, taxes and growth drives crowded Clark County Council primary race