Women endorsed by women & Republicans endorsed by Republicans

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And now, a guest post by state political reporter Stevie Mathieu, who wrote a profile of a new political action committee, H-Roc, in January:

A political action committee aimed at supporting women candidates in Clark County recently put local government hopefuls through a rigorous interview process. Four women emerged to earn endorsements from the PAC.

Local government positions are nonpartisan, and the H-Roc PAC’s endorsements include women of varied political philosophies. The group endorsed:

• Jeanne Stewart for Vancouver City Council Position 2;

• Anne McEnerny-Ogle for Vancouver City Council Position 3;

• Martha Martin, East County Fire and Rescue Commission Position 4; and

• Kathy Gillespie, Vancouver School District Board Director Position 3.

Lisa Schauer, board chair of the H-Roc PAC, said there were other candidates the PAC liked, but they are going to keep their endorsement list small this year. It’s the second year the PAC, which formed in 2011, has endorsed candidates, and it’s still learning the ropes, Schauer said.

The PAC’s candidate selection committee chose this year’s endorsements based on each candidate’s leadership and relationship-building skills, electability, understanding of economic development and policy issues, history of civic engagement, and knowledge of the position she’s running for.

H-Roc is short for “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” The PAC describes itself as nonpartisan. Its mission is to provide support for politically-active women and to foster “the return of civil discourse.”

In other endorsement news, the Clark County Republican Party has endorsed two candidates in local races. A majority of the party’s precinct committee officers have thrown their support behind — surprise! — PCO Frank Decker for Vancouver City Council Position 3 and PCO Lyle Lamb for Battle Ground City Council Position 1.

Primary election ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 6.