Get to know the 6 candidates vying for Dennis Weber's seat

The field includes one Democrat (Amy Norquist), three Republicans (Rayleen Aguirre, Steve Ferrell and Hal Palmer) and two independents (Justin Brown and Jo Zichterman). The field includes people who were elected to the Longview City Council and the Cowlitz County PUD Commission in the 1980s, but every candidate has a level of recent political and civic experience as well.

Ferrell is an official with the Cowlitz County Republican Party and Zichterman used to be on the board for the Cowlitz County Democrats. Brown is the recreation manager for Longview and Aguirre used to chair the Longview Parks Advisory Board. Norquist briefly worked as a green energy policy advisor to the New York City Council.

The District 2 commissioner represents west Kelso and the majority of Longview residents. Weber has held the seat since 2013.

Although a Republican like his current fellow commissioners, Weber, at times, votes against them, including when opposing the board of health's medical freedom resolution, which states COVID-19 mandates harmed the public and COVID vaccines do not work. County commissioners are also on the county's board of health.

Primary ballots were mailed Friday and must be returned by mail or drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Only people who live in District 2 can run for or vote, in the primary, for its commissioner seat, while in the general election, any county resident can vote in commissioner races. 

The Daily News sent a questionnaire to the three candidates to help voters in District 2 get to know their choices before the Aug. 6 primary election. Their unabridged responses are below.

Rayleen Aguirre

Age and time in county: 43 years old. Lifelong resident of Cowlitz County.

Job: Homemaker.

Party: Republican.

Elected and political experience: Former chairperson of Longview Parks and Recreation Board.

Groups involved with: Longview School District Strategic Planning Committee, Longview Pioneer Lions, Longview Girls Softball and Cowlitz Habitat for Humanity.

Money raised: $4,515.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

I decided to run for county commissioner because I am passionate about improving our community. I believe that my experience and dedication can bring positive changes to Cowlitz County, addressing key issues such as deferred maintenance, infrastructure and property rights.

Do you support the continued use of drug court in Cowlitz County? Should the court be funded by a mental health sales tax?

Yes, Cowlitz County should continue to have a drug court. It is a part of our justice system that helps rehabilitate individuals rather than simply incarcerating them. I will listen to the people of Cowlitz County with the advisory vote on the behavioral health sales tax.

As a commissioner, how would you want to address homelessness across the county?

Addressing homelessness requires a collaborative approach. As a commissioner, I would work closely with city officials, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that includes data that can be used to identify the best practices, mental health services and accountability.

How would you look to improve or change the county's board of health if elected?

My primary goal would be to reestablish a spirit of collaboration. Currently, there seems to be significant internal conflict, which hampers our ability to serve the community effectively. I would focus on fostering a cooperative environment where all viewpoints are respected. By encouraging open communication and teamwork, we can create a more unified and efficient board of health that is better equipped to address public health challenges and improve overall community well-being.

What are your biggest priorities for handling the county budget?

• Ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency to maximize the use of taxpayer dollars.
• Investing in infrastructure improvements to support economic growth and community well-being.
• Allocating funds towards essential services such as public safety.

Editor's note: This questionnaire has been updated to include Rayleen Aguirre's age.

Justin Brown

Age and time in county: 36 years old. Lived in Cowlitz County for over 25 years.

Job: Recreation manager for city of Longview.

Party: Independent.

Elected and political experience: None.

Groups involved with: Washington Parks and Recreation Association, Longview Parks and Recreation Foundation, former Rotarian.

Money raised: $9,069.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

I am seeking election as the District 2 County Commissioner to restore stability and bring a fresh, unified approach to Cowlitz County. It’s crucial that we move beyond partisan politics and make decisions that benefit all residents, not just a select few. I want to drive meaningful progress, transform our county's culture, and enhance our reputation so that people are eager to be a part of our community and contribute to its growth. With 16 years of local government experience, I have the right skillset to lead that change.

Do you support the continued use of drug court in Cowlitz County? Should the court be funded by a mental health sales tax?

Absolutely, Cowlitz County should continue to have a drug court. While I'm not certain if the mental health sales tax is the best funding method, it does allow voters to directly influence how their money is spent based on their priorities. Additionally, it's worth exploring other operational opportunities within the existing budget to fund the program.

As a commissioner, how would you want to address homelessness across the county?

As a commissioner, I would approach the issue of homelessness with an open mind, working closely with our local cities and experts in the field. Together, we would develop a strategic roadmap that includes key benchmarks and measurable outcomes to guide all of our local organizations. This roadmap would focus on addressing both immediate needs and long-term solutions, ensuring that we tackle the root causes of homelessness. Collaboration and community involvement are crucial, and I am committed to fostering partnerships that bring together resources, knowledge and compassion to make a meaningful impact.

How would you look to improve or change the county's board of health if elected?

As a commissioner and member of the county's board of health, my main focus would be on enhancing the culture and collaboration among members. I believe the current structure and rules are solid, but there's always room for improvement in how we work together. My aim is to restore the board's reputation, ensuring it remains dedicated to health and not swayed by political agendas.

What are your biggest priorities for handling the county budget?

• Deferred maintenance.
• Public safety.
Quality of place improvements, including:
• Public spaces and recreation opportunities.
• Addressing mental/behavioral health issues.
• Addressing affordable housing.
• Economic development opportunities.

Steve Ferrell

Age and time in county: 71 years old. Lifetime resident of Cowlitz County.

Job: Retired electrical supervisor.

Party: Republican.

Elected and political experience: Cowlitz County PUD Commissioner from 1982 to 1988, current treasurer and state committeeman for the Cowlitz County Republican Central Committee.

Groups involved with: Cowlitz County PUD Electric Rate Advisory Committee.

Money raised: $9,283.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

I have attended [county commissioner] meetings for most of the last three years, participating and learning the county business. Many concerned citizens persuaded me to run.

Do you support the continued use of drug court in Cowlitz County? Should the court be funded by a mental health sales tax?

I need more information regarding drug court. 

As a commissioner, how would you want to address homelessness across the county?

Creating jobs and putting capable, willing people to work is the best cure for homelessness.

How would you look to improve or change the county's board of health if elected?

I will participate in the board of health, it will be up to them to determine if change is needed. I will be one voice.

What are your biggest priorities for handling the county budget?

Maintain our infrastructure, protect private property rights, public safety, prosperity and growth.

Amy Norquist

Age and time in county: 61 years old. Grew up in Cowlitz County, moved back in 2022.

Job: Development director for Lower Columbia School Gardens. Former CEO of environmental company Greensulate and regional director for Mother Jones.

Party: Democrat.

Elected and political experience: Public policy adviser to New York City Council .

Groups involved with: President-elect of Noon Rotary Club, Longview '23 Club, Cowlitz County Master Gardeners, Longview Planning Commission.

Money raised: $16,798.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

I’ve lived in several cities during my adult life and Cowlitz County/Longview remains my favorite place: I’m home. I want the best for Cowlitz County, and I believe we are not reaching our full potential.

Do you support the continued use of drug court in Cowlitz County? Should the court be funded by a mental health sales tax?

Yes, Cowlitz County should continue to have drug courts. The mental health sales tax has been an effective and important guaranteed income stream for this successful public policy.

If it is voted down, I will make it a priority to find funding; there is no question that drug court saves taxpayers money and is a cost-effective and socially effective way to deal with addiction for those who are committed to getting better. It not only saves money in the county budget but more importantly, it saves lives. The evidence of success points toward continuing the drug court program.

As a commissioner, how would you want to address homelessness across the county?

Homelessness is a critical issue, important to citizens throughout the county. Longview has seen success with HOPE Village. The wrap-around approach, managed by the Salvation Army has been effective in moving people into permanent housing by looking at the whole person and addressing all barriers to becoming successful both personally and financially.

Overall, the homeless population may be struggling with mental health, addiction or both. The Longview Police Department has communicated that being able to identify core issues with the unhoused is essential to tackling the problem. Finally, building our county economy back is another important strategy if we are to be successful in building more affordable housing and creating family wage jobs.

How would you look to improve or change the county's board of health if elected?

I believe the county’s board of health should be focusing on local goals — as Cowlitz County consistently underperforms vs. other counties in public health outcomes — instead of national hot-button issues. I would like the board of health to instead address issues such as the impacts of fentanyl — and addiction in general — on our community, mental health and preventative public health strategies for our youth.

The Board of Health should also accept the Public Health Foundational Funds, designated to us by the State of Washington. We should look more carefully at the qualifications of those nominated to the Board of Health.

What are your biggest priorities for handling the county budget?

Making the written budget the most useful document it can be for staff, elected officials and the public, including important details and transparency.

We should not be turning down funds that are allocated to Cowlitz County and should actively be seeking funds from sources (state and federal) that help us meet our important policy goals. We can keep property taxes steady by accepting funds from sources outside of the county and protecting the general fund while meeting our strategic goals for a better quality of life for all.

The PUD’s effort to build [methane power] at the Headquarters landfill will save money, meet goals for a better environment and help balance the budget. I will focus on bringing new economic development to the county.

Hal Palmer

Age and time in county: 77 years old. Lived in Cowlitz County for 50 years.

Job: Owner of PDG Services and Hal Palmer Rentals.

Party: Republican.

Elected and political experience: Longview City Council from 1980 to 1995, appointed state Senator for the 18th District in 1995, 17 years as Cowlitz County Republican PCO.

Groups involved with: Longview Pioneers Club, Salvation Army, Community Alcohol and Drug Center, Cowlitz County and Washington Association of Realtors, Calvary Community Church.

Money raised: $4,901.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

For many years I thought the county commission could be more proactive in helping build the economy, promoting tourism and better serving the citizens. I felt that I had the background, knowledge and experience to do the job.

Do you support the continued use of drug court in Cowlitz County? Should the court be funded by a mental health sales tax?

Yes. Since it has a much higher rate of success than all other programs.

I don’t know if it is the ‘best’ way. It is one way to keep up with the many mandates the state and federal governments demand. When looking at the portion of the ~ $3 million overall that it provides for the therapeutic courts, approximately $1.2 million funds the courts, prosecutors, public defenders and clerks to keep it running. The remainder supports other mandated services. We need to research other means of funding if the advisory vote fails.

As a commissioner, how would you want to address homelessness across the county?

Collaboration will be the best approach with all the cities as we are all affected. I think a summit with the providers, nonprofits, task force, and cities would be a good start to see if we can all agree on the scope of the issue and a roadmap.

How would you look to improve or change the county's board of health if elected?

Since state law has made the board of health larger and more representative of the county I would encourage the members to focus on the most serious issues and develop key performance indicators to show progress.

What are your biggest priorities for handling the county budget?

Facilities, fair compensation for employees and finding efficiencies.

Jo Zichterman

Age and time in county: 28 years old. Lived in Cowlitz County for three and a half years.

Job: Technical consultant for ZoomInfo.

Party: Independent.

Elected and political experience: Formerly on the executive board of the Cowlitz County Democratic Central Committee.

Groups involved with: Volunteer at severe weather shelters.

Money raised: $63.

Why are you running for county commissioner?

I decided to run for Cowlitz County commissioner because I believe I can make a positive impact through effective leadership and collaboration. After living here for over three years, I've developed a deep love for this county and want to use my skills in technology, communication and problem-solving to address our pressing needs and chart a strategic vision for our future.

I've spent the past year preparing by meeting with department directors, local officials and community leaders to understand our challenges and opportunities. My background equips me to organize government efforts around central objectives and bring diverse perspectives together.

Do you support the continued use of drug court in Cowlitz County? Should the court be funded by a mental health sales tax?

I strongly believe the county should continue to have therapeutic courts. We can’t rely on punishing people out of addiction — we need more comprehensive solutions that acknowledge the uphill battle of getting clean.

Drug courts provide a structured program that combines intensive supervision, substance abuse treatment and regular court appearances. This approach doesn’t just help individuals overcome addiction; it also reduces the burden on our criminal justice system and saves taxpayer money in the long run.

The mental health sales tax may not be the "ideal" solution, but it's an effective one that provides a stable funding source for these crucial services. It's important to note that the impact on individual households is relatively small — about $0.10 for every $100 spent. The measurable benefits these programs provide to individuals, families and our community far outweigh the minimal cost to taxpayers.

As a commissioner, how would you want to address homelessness across the county?

We have numerous programs working to tackle this issue, but the lack of coordination across the county means these efforts are not as effective as they could be. As a commissioner, I would prioritize bringing our available resources and stakeholders together under one unified strategy, including cities and communities. We need to break down silos and foster a spirit of cooperation among all entities working on this issue.

My approach would involve: An updated inventory of existing programs and resources available to the county, identifying gaps in services and areas where efforts are being duplicated, and reworking our county-wide strategic plan to leverage our collective strengths and address our weaknesses.

How would you look to improve or change the county's board of health if elected?

My focus would be on steering our efforts towards addressing the most pressing public health issues facing Cowlitz County. I believe we need to prioritize action that can make a tangible difference in our community's health outcomes. This means:

• Refocusing on evidence-based public health measures that can improve the wellbeing of our residents, like initiatives to address substance abuse, mental health and access to care.
• Improving collaboration with state and local health officials to ensure we're aligned and leveraging available resources effectively.
• Improving communication with the public about health initiatives and recommendations.

What are your biggest priorities for handling the county budget?

• Working closely with department heads to understand their core needs and ensure basic operational requirements are met. This includes facilities maintenance, such as for the Kelso Admin building and the Hall of Justice. We need to ensure our county buildings are safe, functional and efficient.
• Carefully reviewing spending in key areas like public safety and infrastructure to maintain essential services. We'll look for ways to optimize spending without compromising service quality. This might involve exploring innovative solutions or technologies that could enhance efficiency in these critical areas.
• Focusing on addressing the most pressing community needs within our means. We'll prioritize programs that directly address urgent issues, while carefully evaluating the long-term financial implications of any new proposals.

READ MORE: