Jennifer De Luz says she never expected to run for office, but now that she is, she wants to give Woodland voters a choice and a stronger voice.
“We didn’t think anybody should run unopposed,” De Luz said, regarding her bid for council. “That’s how people get complacent in their seats.”
De Luz is running for Position 6, currently held by Councilor Terry Hall, who is not seeking re-lection. She will face off against longtime local and Woodland Chamber of Commerce Interim Director Keith Bellisle.
De Luz is an artist with wood-burned pieces in 27 states and local businesses across Woodland. She says her upbringing, from bucking hay bales to wrapping meat at a local butcher shop, gave her a strong work ethic.
“Freedom is a good thing,” she said. “It’s all a balancing act. How do we keep Woodland Woodland, and meet everything we’re supposed to?”
De Luz cited a council meeting last year as a turning point, when a member voiced support for a medical dispensary without acknowledging that state law had already merged medical and recreational use.
“One of the council members said he would have no problem approving a medical dispensary,” De Luz recalled. “But what he doesn’t know is that on Dec. 6, 2012, Washington state legalized recreational, and when that happened, recreational and medical use merged together … How are we letting these people make decisions for us when they’re not even educated on what the current laws are?”
Her stance directly contrasts with the current majority of council’s repeated rejection of cannabis retail proposals in 2024. As previously reported by The Reflector, the council shot down multiple ordinances proposed by the city’s planning commission, including efforts to rezone cannabis retail into light industrial or highway commercial districts.
They also rejected a motion to hold a public advisory vote, citing moral objections, youth safety concerns and skepticism about financial benefits.
In one July meeting, Hall quoted the Bible to explain his vote against a ballot measure, drawing sharp criticism from residents, including De Luz.
“I’m a Christian too … but I’m not going to get up there and spout Bible verses at people because I don’t agree with something,” she said.
In a message following her interview, De Luz confirmed she would vote “yes” to allow a cannabis store in Woodland and would also support putting the issue to voters.
“I was pretty hard on my body early in life and big pharma isn’t the right option for me. I’m a big patron of dispensaries and use a CBD balm that can only be purchased in dispensaries,” she wrote. “I feel like the people of Woodland should have access to their natural medicine … I know the Fourth of July is a stressful time for pets, and CBD from a dispensary can be wonderful for pets who don’t like fireworks.”
De Luz also flagged homelessness and panhandling as issues Woodland should be proactive about, saying the city needs to strike a balance between compassion and public safety.
“There is no clear answer,” she wrote. “... it will take transparency and understanding to mitigate this and other pressing issues Woodlanders face.”
De Luz also emphasized the importance of revitalizing downtown Woodland in a way that supports small, locally-owned businesses. She said she’d like to see the city preserve the historic charm of downtown while encouraging more retail options that serve both residents and visitors.
“Let’s support the moms and pops,” De Luz said. “What else can we bring in to make Woodland a destination?”
At the same time, De Luz said the city must be careful not to overreach, citing the impacts of government-mandated closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was not in alignment with closing everything down for COVID,” she said. “That hurt a lot of businesses that never recovered … There’s a fine line between government overreach and less government, more freedom.”
As Woodland continues to grow under state-mandated population targets, De Luz said the city needs leaders willing to listen closely to residents before making big decisions.
“It’s really not about knowing every single answer right now,” she said. “It’s about being willing to learn and grow.”
She added that infrastructure concerns, whether it be housing, commercial or traffic-related, must be addressed with input from the community.
“I promote open discussion,” De Luz said. “... Citizens should be involved in every aspect.”
This is an update to a previous story, which can be read at tinyurl.com/33t96jdt.
