Dale Smith endorsed by Mielke and Benton for state representative

On Wednesday, Dale Smith announced on Twitter that he has received endorsements from state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, and Clark County Commissioner Tom Mielke, also a Republican.

Smith is running as a Republican for the 18th District representative seat being vacated by state Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.

Smith served four years as a La Center city councilman and unsuccessfully ran for mayor of La Center. He’s also a former campaign manager for Mielke and helped with Benton’s campaign for U.S. Senate.

Last week, Smith unveiled his campaign website,which lists his priorities as job creation, fighting tolls and light rail on the project to build a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River, and to reform the state budget.

Smith has previously worked in engineering positions that include a research and development job at General Motors. He also worked as a maintenance manager for Milgard Windows & Doors.

Smith served nine years in the Air Force, from which he was honorably discharged. He is retired.

Also running in the race is former Camas city councilwoman Liz Pike. She has a long list of endorsements on her campaign website, including support from state Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, and Julie Olson, who is running this fall against state Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver.

Redistricting changed the voter district lines around Orcutt’s home, now placing him in the 20th District rather than the 18th. Orcutt plans to run in the 20th District this fall.