The race for Sen. Don Benton’s seat in the Washington State Senate got a little more crowded last week with the addition of Port of Vancouver Commissioner Jerry Oliver.
Oliver, a Republican, joins Democrat Tim Probst and Republican Lynda Wilson in the race for the position in the 17th District.
The Reflector published an announcement of Wilson’s candidacy on Feb. 10. Here’s a closer look at her fellow candidates.
Tim Probst
Probst declared his intentions to run for the 17th District senate seat in January, prior to Benton’s announcement that he would not seek re-election. The former state representative said he “stands for uniting our people and building the middle class.’’
“I love Clark County and all of its people – Independents, Democrats, and Republicans,” said Probst, who represented the 17th District for four years as a member of the state House of Representatives. “I want to be a leader who unites our people instead of dividing them. United we can solve the greatest challenges of our time, divided we bicker while the problems grow worse.”
As a state representative from 2009 to 2013, Probst claims to have had one of the most fiscally responsible voting records in the state legislature and a record of bipartisanship. Probst created Opportunity Scholarships to help middle class families better afford college. His proposal received bi-partisan support and has now awarded more than 10,000 scholarships to students all across Washington state.
“One of the things I am proudest of during my time in the legislature is my ability to work across the aisle to find common ground and get results,” said Probst. “I plan to run my campaign in the same way – bringing people together so we can find common sense solutions instead of dividing against ourselves.”
In 2012, Probst gave up his House seat to run for the Senate against Don Benton, at the time an 18-year incumbent. Probst lost by 78 votes after multiple recounts.
Probst graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in government and international relations, then worked four years as a budget analyst and policy advisor for Republican Governor Jim Edgar of Illinois.
WSU Vancouver brought the Probst family to Vancouver in 1998, when Tim’s wife Tahira landed a job as a professor. “We never looked back,” said Probst. “We fell in love with the people here, the mountains, and even the rain.” Tim and Tahira raised their four children in Clark County. Tim and his family enjoy skiing, backpacking, and college football.
Probst has worked in workforce development for 18 years, helping companies grow and helping people find jobs. He is currently director of Workforce Development Strategic Initiatives for the Employment Security Department. During his years in the state House of Representatives, Probst served on the Economic Development Committee and was vice-chair of the Education Appropriations Committee. He secured the funding for WSU Vancouver’s Engineering and Computer Science Building and was a major advocate for the Clark County Skills Center and business internships for high school students.
For more information on the Probst campaign, visit his website at www.ElectTimProbst.com.
Jerry Oliver
In his announcement as a candidate, Oliver cited a recent poll indicating the state of Washington ranked 28th in business favorability. Things considered were the ease of starting a business, regulations, and taxation.
“With 18,000 unemployed in Clark County we suffer from the effects of this dismal ranking,’’ Oliver said. “The unemployed of Clark County do not want a handout, they want a job. We can do better.
“That is why I have decided to run for the legislature in the 17th district, position 1,’’ Oliver added. “In my eight years as a commissioner of the Port of Vancouver we have recruited companies to the Port that have produced hundreds of new jobs. In that time employment at Port tenants has increased by over 1,000 jobs. Future prospects are bright.’’
Oliver indicated that he believes many issues working against economic development and chronic unemployment can only be addressed at the state level.
“Responsible taxation and regulation needs to addressed,’’ he said. “The B&O tax is especially burdensome to small business and needs a thorough review and modification to assure it is fair to all. Burdensome regulations on business need to be modified or repealed.
“The I-5 corridor is growing more congested daily,’’ he said. “We feel the impact personally and but may not consider that our goods and food also move on that corridor. If we cannot move our freight we cannot serve ourselves. While the Legislature has funded I-5 projects in Clark County and more are coming, there are major sections of I-5 that have not been adequately addressed.’’
Oliver also cited housing affordability as a growing concern in Clark County.
“The Growth Management Act restricts land development because the folks in Olympia think we should all live in densely packed housing,’’ he said. “There should be a ‘carve out’ for fast growing counties like Clark so we can develop thousands of additional building lots on our terms with local control. This will bring more supply that will make housing more affordable.’’
Oliver and his wife moved to Vancouver in 1987.
“As a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in economics I enjoyed a successful business career,’’ he said. “Over the years I have worked to make our community a better place to live, first as a volunteer for my neighborhood association, then as an elected commissioner at the Port of Vancouver.
“My faith is nourished at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church,’’ Oliver said. “Our path may be at times uncertain, but I am confident with perseverance and leadership we can end up on higher ground than where we started.’’
Oliver’s campaign website will soon be active at www.ElectJerryOliver.com and he can be reached by email at gtoliver2@gmail.com.
