Early returns in Washington’s primary election show two Clark County councilors likely advancing to the November general election.

With a majority of council seats up for election, Tuesday’s unofficial results set the stage for contests that will decide which direction the council leans on a number of key issues. They include: efforts to fund extended light rail as part of the Interstate 5 bridge replacement, prioritizing county services in a difficult budget environment and building new housing to accommodate rapid population growth.

District 1

In the race to represent District 1 — which covers parts of Vancouver, Hazel Dell and Salmon Creek — unofficial results show incumbent Glen Yung, 46, notched the most support among primary voters in a field of four candidates. He will likely face challenger Bryan Shull in the general election.

Yung was elected to the council in 2022. He operates a remodeling business with his wife and has served as a moderate voice in an often-divided local government.

He introduced a successful resolution to offer county support for extended light rail into downtown Vancouver as part of the I-5 bridge project and has pushed for faster permitting to speed up housing production.

Shull, 57, is a local brewery owner who is challenging Yung from the right. He’s running on a “tax last” platform that prioritizes funding for law enforcement and support for local businesses. On the issue of homelessness, he advocates eliminating the “housing first” approach in favor of programs focused on substance abuse treatment.

Local freight company owner Lukas Bardue, 46, and urban farmer Dusti Arab, 38, appear unlikely to advance past the primary.

District 2

In the race to represent District 2 — which covers much of the unincorporated area just north of Vancouver — one-term incumbent Michelle Belkot, 49, appears to have enough support to continue on to the general election. She will likely face challenger John Zingale in November.

During her first term on the Clark County Council, Belkot — who served for more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force and Navy — has often taken positions that pit her against the rest of the five-member council.

She has consistently opposed new taxes, tolls and light rail on the I-5 bridge, and has advocated to increase spending for additional sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement services.

Zingale would mark a stark departure if he were to win in November.

Zingale, 45, is a middle school history educator, who has earned numerous “Teacher of the Year” awards in his time with Vancouver Public Schools. He has said he would prioritize funding for parks, roads and housing, in addition to public safety. He’s in favor of light rail on the I-5 bridge and wants to see investments in public transit.

Accounting executive Martin Pittioni, 61, appears unlikely to advance past the primary.

District 5

In an open race for District 5 — which covers mostly rural, northern Clark County — there are only two candidates, so both will advance to the general election.

Battle Ground City Council member and former mayor Troy McCoy, 54, will face off against Charter Review Commissioner Peter Silliman, 57.

McCoy is running on a platform of accountable investments in public safety, protecting open space and farmland, government transparency and nonpartisanship.

He wants to bring “balanced, pragmatic leadership,” he said, “and I’m not coming in there with a huge political bent or a huge ideology, which I think draws a great distinction for the voters in my district.”

Although all council seats are officially nonpartisan, Silliman has campaigned overtly as a Republican.

His top issues are stopping tax increases, increasing funding for police and loosening permitting and business regulations.

“I am a Republican. I don’t believe in hiding the fact that I’m a Republican. I have solid Republican values,” Silliman said. “And I think by letting people know that, one, I’m just being truthful, and two, it informs people of what my core beliefs are.”

The District 5 seat is being vacated by council Chair Sue Marshall, who decided not to run for reelection.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/04/incumbents-likely-advance-in-clark-county-council-race-early-returns-show/