Candidates Come to Colville, Discussing Policy and Background

The Stevens County Republican Women’s Club , led by president Cindy White, hosted a candidates’ forum at the Ag Trade Center in Colville on July 9. The event, attended by approximately 60 people, provided an opportunity for Republican, Democrat, Independent, and nonpartisan candidates to share about themselves and their political ideals for the offices they are running for.

Moderator Tim White began the event with ground rules, reminding the audience and candidates that the event was a forum and not a debate. Candidates were to address why they should be elected, not why the other person is wrong. Participants were reminded to control their tempers, stick to the issues, avoid personal attacks, and be respectful without interrupting. In the interest of saving time, questions would not be asked of those running unopposed; however, some candidates might issue a statement.

The forum began with Stevens County offices, continued with the 7^th Legislative District, and ended with the 5^th Congressional District.

The forum opened with Stevens County Auditor candidates: incumbent Lori Larsen, R-Chewelah, and Eric Simpson, R-Chewelah.

Before questions, Larsen began with a statement, “I have been enforcing law as county auditor for seven-and-a-half years. This is an executive branch position. We have seen great achievements.”

Simpson also gave a statement, “I have 22 years of life experience, but I don’t have the experience Larsen has. I have 10 children, have paid off my home, can work in a team environment, and can step outside of my comfort zone.”

White: What is the biggest challenge facing the office of auditor?

Simpson: I’m concerned with the election system. We need to make elections more transparent and secure. Maybe we need to hand count ballots to increase accuracy. We need to clean the voter registration database. For example, there are 200 Stevens County residents who are registered to vote in more than one county.

Larsen: Due to budget constraints and staff reductions, our office has had to meet the same statutory obligations with fewer staff. As part of that work, we have already implemented increased cross‑training, which I campaigned on years ago and which has been successfully achieved in really powerful ways.

Regarding voter registration, the responsibility of individual voters to manage their own registration. The formal voter registration challenge process available under state law.

The Auditor’s Office performs voter list maintenance every single day, including:

incorporating data from the Department of Licensing, cleaning records using vital statistics for deceased voters, and using multi‑state collaboration to identify potential dual registrations in two states.

White: Speak on election integrity, Trump’s Save America Act, in-person voting, and stopping mail-in ballots.

Larsen: The County Auditor is an executive‑branch officer charged with administering elections as required by law, not making or resisting policy. If the Legislature or Congress were to change the law (for example, requiring in‑person re‑registration with proof of citizenship), we would implement those changes, but such mandates would have significant implications for staffing, scheduling, and budget that must be addressed by the Board of County Commissioners. We conduct audits every election cycle, our ballots are paper and auditable, and voters can already vote in person at my office if they choose.

Simpson: We should return to hand counting. We would need a large team, and it would result in more transparency. 

White: What is your leadership style and philosophy?

Simpson: It is critical to listen, learn from the team. I don’t have a ton of experience. But I would learn every aspect of the office.

Larsen: I have been a leader prior to this. I co-founded a school choice program in Valley. I want to stay informed and empower staff to do the job. I want to be there for them.

White to Larsen: Address the new policy of having to make an appointment to get tabs and how this will affect seniors.

Larsen: We went from five licensing staff to two due to budgetary reductions. To avoid very long lines and hallway congestion, we implemented an appointment system so that customers can be seen at a predictable time, complete their business, and leave without extended waiting.

Every phone in the Auditor’s Office can answer and book appointments for customers, including seniors who cannot or do not wish to use QR codes or online booking. Several subagent locations (e.g., Colville, Kettle Falls, and others) continue to serve walk-in customers.

We have operated a customer satisfaction survey for roughly a year on the appointment system, with results averaging approximately 4.6 stars.

White to Simpson: As a new office holder, how will you close the experience gap? Will you commit to completing all training?

Simpson: Yes, I will commit to completing all training. I will also pull on my current experience and apply it.

White to Larsen: Address the weaknesses in the current office. What proof will you provide for accountability? Why should we vote for you?

Larsen: The Auditor’s Office has filed all required annual financial reports on time each year I have been in office. We have had no financial findings related to those reports. Challenges with financial software and the county’s ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementation are not unique to Stevens County and require countywide teamwork and investment decisions that involve multiple offices and elected officials. Specific improvements include: enhanced public access to documents and services, cross‑training across divisions, and maintaining financial accountability even when unpopular.

Questions then moved to Stevens County Coroner candidate. Johnathan Waldrop, R-Addy. Candidate Roseanne Ennis Jezerinac was absent from the event. .

Waldrop addressed the audience: “I’ve been with the coroner’s office for three-and-a-half years. I want to help people during the hardest part of their lives. This job is about helping others, helping the community.”

White: What are the challenges you will face in this position?

Waldrop: I have been humbled by working with Ramona, her experience. I want to bolster the education program and guide new people into the field.

White: Have you ever been let go from a job?

Waldrop: No.

White: Who will you contact for autopsies?

Waldrop: Spokane County. We are in good standing with them.

White: How will you do the personal elements of the job?

Waldrop: With compassion and integrity. I will be respectful of people’s differences while still doing the job.

White: How will you maintain partnerships with the law, emergency services, etc.?

Waldrop: There absolutely has to be a good working relationship. All of the previous fractured relationships have been mended. We are considered last responders. Not first responders. We all have to work together.

After Waldrop’s time on stage, White gave questions to County District Court Judge candidate C. Olivia Irwin, Nonpartisan-Colville. Incumbent Gina Tveit was absent; her party affiliation is not listed.

Irwin gave a statement, “The District Court is a low level, people’s court that handles DUIs (Driving Under the Influence), low level assaults, tickets and citations, name changes. I have been an attorney for 12 years. I’m an older graduate of law school. I’m a proponent of the sliding scale. My husband is an attorney and a deputy prosecutor.”

White: Describe your decision making process.

Irwin: My experience has given me empathy, moral fortitude, and integrity. I care about the community.

White: What challenges do you see in office, and why are you running?

Irwin: The issues I see are unique. I want to expand access to justice. We need strong advocacy for the justice center. There are also fiscal issues.

Other Stevens County candidates running unopposed include County Prosecutor candidate Erica George, R-Colville, County Assessor candidate Rick Johnson, R-Northport, County Clerk candidate Michelle Enright, R-Colville, and County Sheriff candidate Brad Manke, R-Colville. Candidates for Stevens County Commissioner #2 Mark Burrows, R-Chewelah, and Jack Griffin Jr., No Party Preference, of Valley, did not answer questions during the forum. 

The forum then moved to 7^th Legislative District candidates. Incumbent, unopposed representatives Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, and Andrew Engell, R-Colville, gave statements, then White gave questions to State Senate candidates Shelly Short, R-Addy, and Ron McCoy, I-Chewelah. Opponents Brandon Ray Medina, R-Brewster, and David Swoap, R-Tonasket, were both absent.   

White: What is your experience and why are you running for office?

Short: I have been Senator since 2017, when I was first appointed. I was in the House before that. We have so much to protect and value that is under attack. We need to protect our way of life for now and for the next generation. I fight for accountability.

McCoy: I was the mayor of Chewelah for three years, and that I was also on the city council. I fight for property rights. I have six kids and have been married for 48 years. This is a beautiful part of the country.

White: What is the biggest challenge facing our state?

Short: Out of control state agencies.

McCoy: Accountability and property rights.

White: How do you make progress in this climate?

Short: Be willing to listen and say your piece. Help other people. It takes time.

McCoy: I have never spent any time as an elected official. But I do know customer service, and I will show up for people.

White: How do you ensure a strong voice in rural, eastern Washington?

Short: I’ve been lead Republican on several relevant committees. I share the stories of constituents. Okanogan is on fire right now, and it’s important to meet people where they are at. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be that voice.

McCoy: Every small town has different needs that need to be addressed. We are 99% agriculture. My goal is to make sure that rural Washington has a seat at the table when decisions are being made.

White: What do you think of the Millionaire’s Tax?

Short: I am against that bill. If it passes, it will be very hard to write sustainable budgets. We need to get rid of that income tax. The state really needs to focus on the important things.

McCoy: The bill was a good place to start, but we should make an amendment to that bill.

The forum concluded with 5^th Congressional District candidate questions. Candidates Andrew Bartleson, I-Spokane Valley, David Womack, D-Walla Walla, and Richard Freudenberg, D-Liberty Lake were in attendance. Incumbent Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, Ann Marie Danimus, I-Spokane Valley, Carmela Conroy, D-Spokane, Kevin Fagan, D-Spokane, Matthew Hayes, I-Spokane, Michael McGarr, D-Spokane, Nate Powell, I-Spokane, Bajun Mavalwilla, D-Valley, and Kyle Ursey, I-Spokane were all absent from the event. 

White began by reading a statement submitted by Baumgartner, which read, “My goals are to address high prices, overspending, and crime. I am working on providing tax relief, smaller government, higher pay for the military. I am currently working on the farm bill and the Columbia Basin project. I work for you.”

White: What are your qualifications, and why are you running for office?

Freudenberg: I went to Washington State University and the University of Arizona. I was in the United States Air Force. I grew up in the Scouts, and I am proud to say that my son just made Eagle Scout.

Womack: I am a retired Air Force Colonel. I ran two rural hospitals. I live in Walla Walla. I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Health care for all.

Bartleson: I treat people with respect. Why is our debt so large? We all deserve a piece of the pie. We need to take care of ourselves. I believe in trickle-up economics, not trickle-down economics. There is too much money in our country, so why are we not being taken care of?

White: What is the greatest challenge in the U.S. today that a congressman has to face?

Womack: Healthcare.

Bartleson: We are being manipulated constantly to hate each other. Why is our health insurance so high? Rise up. Time to stop.

Freudenberg: Affordability is our greatest challenge. Healthcare and housing are both affordability problems.

White: What do you think about the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act? 

Bartleson: We can, all of us, oversee the counting of ballots.

Womack: There have been only 23 cases of illegal immigrants voting in all of America. It has been illegal for illegal immigrants to vote since 1924. This issue is a distraction to other things.

Freudenberg: The law allows you to vote.

White: What do you think about Voter ID?

Freudenberg: Yes. I have no problem following the law.

Womack: Yes. When you vote by mail, your voter ID is your signature.

Bartleson: If we are going to have this talk, then what counts as Voter ID? A driver’s license is not sufficient? They should make it simple to verify your ID.

White: What is your stance on broader security concerning illegal immigration?

Bartleson: We need immigrants. All people have immigrated here at some point. We need to put more resources into processing immigrants faster. I am affiliated with the people.

Womack: We should have secure borders, and immigration control belongs at the border. We also need to stop the flow of fentanyl. America needs to become the welcoming place that welcomes refugees. It says on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” We are all immigrants.

Freudenberg: I am in favor of State Bill 4361, which is a bipartisan bill in favor of border security. That bill is a good compromise.

White: How would you keep yourself accessible and accountable?

Womack: Integrity. My faith calls for me to serve all. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our government told us the truth?

Bartleson: I’m just a regular guy that wants to see some change. If you like me, then awesome. Respect. I want to hear from you what the problems we face are. 

Freudenberg: It’s all about conversation.

Primary elections are scheduled for  Aug. 4, andGeneral elections on Nov. 3. Information for the Stevens County elections can be found at stevenscountywa.gov. Information on the Washington State Legislature, including senators, representatives, laws, and bills can be found at leg.wa.gov. There are multiple websites available for information on candidates, including ballotready.org and ballotpedia.org.

This article from the July 22 edition of the Statesman-Examiner was updated on July 21st 2026