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Stories by Kelly Moyer

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April 9, 2026
A crowd listens to Brent Hennrich, right, a Democratic candidate for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, during his campaign kickoff at the AMC Classic Mill Plain 8 cinema in Vancouver. (Kelly Moyer/The Columbian)

Primary fight underway in 3rd Congressional District

There is no real starting point, no formal “ready, set, go” to mark Southwest Washington’s primary election season. But judging from the energy at 3rd Congressional District hopeful Brent Hennrich’s campaign kickoff event last week, the race toward the Aug. 4 primary election is already well underway.

March 26, 2026
Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian files)

Judge dismisses Belkot suit against Clark County

A U.S. District Court judge last week ruled in favor of Clark County in a lawsuit brought by Councilor Michelle Belkot after the council removed her from her seat on the C-Tran board of directors in March 2025.

March 19, 2026
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, center, speaks at a press conference Tuesday at the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program headquarters in downtown Vancouver.

Cost to replace I-5 Bridge now estimated at $13.5B to $15.2B

Newly released estimates show the cost of replacing the 109-year-old Interstate 5 Bridge and improving the adjacent 5 miles of freeway will likely be more than double the $5 billion to $7.5 billion estimate quoted by the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program for the past three years.

January 15, 2026
Terri Niles Dropping bid for Legislature seat

Terri Niles ends bid for 17th District seat

Vancouver Democrat Terri Niles has dropped out of the 2026 race for 17th Legislative District Position 2 seat currently held by Republican David Stuebe in the Washington House of Representatives.