District 18 Rep. Greg Cheney wants to improve affordable living, job growth and bipartisanship if elected to the state Senate this November.
Cheney aims to succeed Washington 18th District Sen. Ann Rivers, who was redistricted out following the 2024 district boundary redrawing and opted not to run again for the state Legislature. The 18th District currently includes Battle Ground, Salmon Creek and Brush Prairie.
Cheney, a lawyer and owner of a law firm, is wrapping up his first term as a state representative since taking office in 2023. He serves on Washington’s Capital Budget Committee and is a ranking member of the Civil Rights & Judiciary and Regulated Substances & Gaming committees.
“For my day job, I’m an attorney, and I work a lot with businesses, so I understand the struggles and the challenges they’re going through. That helps inform me when I’m developing legislation or voting on bills,” Cheney said.
Cheney’s top legislative priority is to keep the 18th District an affordable place to live. At the next legislative session, he wants to support job growth and keep property taxes low. Cheney supports Initiative 2117 to repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) in the November general election. The CCA’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions have raised gas prices for the working class, Cheney said.
“All of the diesel motors that are transporting our goods around the state … they’re all paying higher fuel prices as well … It’s creating an affordability crisis at home that I’m concerned about,” Cheney said.
Cheney also intends to make crime and punishment a legislative priority if elected. Cheney oversaw bills regarding law and order in his ranking position in the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee during the last legislative session.
Cheney expects to be one of the few Republican lawyers in the Senate if elected and would likely serve in a similar committee.
“We did have some success. I was able to get language into a bill that would increase the penalties for converter and theft,” Cheney said.
As well, Cheney will champion mental health services for the 18th District if elected. Last year, he and Rep. Stephanie McClintock secured over $16 million to fund the construction of Madrona Recovery, a new 54-bed youth mental health center in Brush Prairie.
Cheney said he will continue to push for bipartisan support for programs beneficial to the public if elected. Cheney sponsored five bills that passed the Democrat-majority House and Senate during his first term. One of these laws removes unnecessary college degree requirements from job listings, which Cheney said will support job growth.
Cheney said bipartisanship, cooperation and working with his Democratic counterparts is important to accomplish goals in Olympia.
“It doesn’t mean you have to vote the same thing. But I think there is a benefit to having a courteous relationship with the other party with the other party,” he said. “That’s how you get things done that matter for the district.”
Cheney said his legislative experience and bipartisan efforts should give him an edge in the election. He will run against Democrat and former Battle Ground Mayor Adrian Cortes and Republican Brad Benton for the senate seat.
“I think throwing catchy little phrases and logos on signs or recycling your dad’s signs is far easier than actually doing the tough work of actually passing legislation, particularly in a Democrat majority, or you have to work with your colleagues with the other side if you want any bill to pass, particularly in a state where, like it or not, the Republicans are in the minority,” Cheney said.
People can contact Cheney with questions at contact@electgregcheney.com, or call 360-356-7555.
