Rivers leads 18th District pack

La Center Republican Ann Rivers has raised more than all five of her Republican opponents combined in the crowded race for the 18th Legislative District seat being vacated by state Rep. Jaime Herrera.

Rivers, a public relations consultant and longtime GOP activist, sought appointment to the same seat in late 2007 and was one of three finalists for the position Herrera won. She has held a series of fundraisers in her upbeat campaign for the open seat, which represents Camas, Washougal, Felida, Salmon Creek, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, north Clark County and south Cowlitz County.

“It’s so motivating to see the excitement out there,” she said in a statement. “People see their dollars making a difference and their support assisting our mission to get Olympia back on track.”

With nearly $27,000 in contributions, Rivers led all eight candidates for the seat in the latest campaign finance filings, including one Democrat and one independent. Republican Shannon Barnett, a member of the Cowlitz County Planning Commission and Cowlitz County GOP chairman, was second, with contributions of a little more than $12,000.

Kathie Durbin