Clark County Charter Review Commission member Brad Benton has entered the 2026 race for Clark County Council, District 5, according to reporting by The Columbian. Benton announced his candidacy on Thursday, adding a new contender to a district that covers fast‑growing rural and suburban areas north and east of Vancouver.

District 5 holds particular influence over land‑use policy, public safety funding, and long‑term infrastructure decisions that directly affect Cowlitz County neighbors along the I‑5 corridor. With residential growth continuing south of Woodland and east toward the Clark‑Skamania line, political shifts in District 5 often shape planning pressures and service demands that spill over county boundaries.

Benton currently serves on the Clark County Charter Review Commission, a body tasked with evaluating the county’s governing structure and recommending changes for voter consideration. His involvement there has placed him in ongoing public discussions about transparency, county authority, and administrative oversight — topics likely to feature prominently in the upcoming council race.

As of Friday, February 20, 2026, Benton has not released a detailed platform beyond his initial announcement, and no candidate filings are yet listed in the state’s 2026 election portal. Additional details are expected as the election cycle progresses and formal filing week approaches this spring.

Clark County Council decisions regularly intersect with issues important to Southwest Washington residents, including rural development, growth management coordination, transportation planning, and regional emergency response capacity. Voters in both Clark and Cowlitz counties often look toward cross‑county leadership dynamics when assessing how local governments prepare for shared challenges.

Why this matters

Political shifts in Clark County — especially in outer districts like District 5 — frequently influence regional policy debates that affect Longview, Kelso, and unincorporated Cowlitz County. Council races signal emerging priorities on growth, governance, and fiscal policy at a time when the entire I‑5 corridor is managing rapid change.

Sources

The Columbian: Brad Benton to run for Clark County Council