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.

Lawmakers in the 17th District represent constituents in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties, including east Vancouver, Battle Ground, Brush Prairie, Camas and Washougal.

Niles, who worked for more than 20 years as an intensive care nurse and was the past president of AURN, the Oregon Nurses Association, launched her third campaign for the 17th District in January 2025.

Niles lost her previous bids for the 17th District to Republican Rep. Kevin Waters during the Nov. 8, 2022, general election and to Stuebe during the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.

In a news release, Niles said she made the decision to end her campaign after careful consideration.

“Over the past year, I have been undergoing treatment and recovery for breast cancer. I have several more months of active treatment,” Niles said in the release. “I am deeply grateful for the progress I’ve made. I also recognize that the kind of vigorous, full-scale campaign required to win and hold this seat must begin immediately and demands full capacity and focus.”

Niles said dropping out was “not an easy decision.”

“Serving our community and advocating for working families has been one of the greatest honors of my life. That commitment remains strong,” she said.

Niles added that she intends to remain active in local politics and will continue to serve as the chair of the 17th Legislative District Democrats group that supports Democratic candidates across the district.

Vancouver City Councilor Diana Perez announced Jan. 2 that she is running for Stuebe’s 17th District seat.